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NO.  20.— BIRD'S-EYE  VIEW  OF  GENERAL  PLAN,  FROM  POINT  TAKEN  4,000  FEET  ABOVE  ARLINGTON 


FIFTY-SEVENTH  CONGRESS,  FIRST  SESSION,  SENATE  REPORT  NO.  166. 


THE  IMPROVEMENT  OF  THE  PARK  SYSTEM 
OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


1.— REPORT  OF  THE  SENATE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE 
DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 

II.— REPORT  OF  THE  PARK  COMMISSION. 


EDITED  BY 

CHARLES  MOORE, 

CLERK  OF  THE  SENATE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  DISTRICT  OK  COLUMBIA. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE. 

1902. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


Report  of  the  Senate  Committee  ott  the  District  of  Columbia . 

Senate  resolution  ordering  a  report  on  the  park  system . 

Necessity  of  a  comprehensive  plan . 

Appointment  of  a  Commission . 

The  problem  stated . 

The  original  plan  of  Washington . 

Opinions  of  Government  officers  on  the  Commission . 

The  railroad  problem . 

Character  of  the  plans . 

Models  and  illustrations . 

Concentration  of  authority . 

Report  of  the  Park  Commission . 

Changes  in  the  Mall . 

Improvements  accomplished . 

Washington  as  a  capital  city . 

Climatic  conditions  of  Washington . 

The  necessity  of  fountains . 

Public  baths  and  gymnasiums . 

Location  of  public  buildings . 

A  union  railroad  station . 

The  Mall  system . 

The  Capitol  division . 

Union  Square . 

The  Mall . 

The  Washington  Monument  division  . 

The  Washington  Common . 

The  Lincoln  memorial . 

The  Memorial  Bridge,  Analostan  Island,  and  the  National  Cemetery  at  Arlington 

The  Memorial  Bridge . 

The  treatment  of  Arlington  Cemetery . 

The  grouping  of  the  buildings  of  the  Executive  Departments  . 

The  area  south  of  Pennsylvania  avenue . 

The  distribution  of  the  parks . 

Topography  of  the  District  of  Columbia . 

The  need  for  additional  parks . 

Treatment  of  minor  reservations . 

Playgrounds . 

The  larger  parks  and  their  connections . 

Potomac  quay . 

Rock  Creek  parkway . 

Zoological  Park . 

Rock  Creek  Park . . . 

The  section  west  of  Rock  Creek .  . 

Fort  Reno  Park . 

Soapstone  parkway . 

Receiving  reservoir . 

Potomac  drive . 

Fort  Kemble  Park . 

Battery  Parrott . 

Georgetown  parkway . 


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97 
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3 


4 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


Page. 

The  section  east  of  Rock  Creek .  99 

Soldiers’  Home  grounds . 100 

Howard  University  reservoir .  101 

Eckington  parkway . 101 

Patterson  Park .  102 

Mount  Hamilton  parkway .  103 

Mount  Hamilton  Park .  103 

Anacostia  water  park .  105 

The  Fort  drive . . .  HI 

The  Anacostia  section .  113 

Giesboro  parkway .  HI 

Anacostia  embankment .  115 

Washington  embankment  and  Potomac  Park . 117 

The  Mount  Vernon  road .  121 

Conclusion . 123 

Appendix  A,  public  bathing  places .  125 

Public  bath,  Revere  Beach,  Massachusetts . ; .  127 

Public  bath,  Brookline,  Mass .  128 

Appendix  B,  relation  of  the  Anacostia  dam  to  tidal  scour .  131 

Appendix  C,  a  letter  relative  to  the  proposed  treatment  of  Anacostia  Park .  133 

Appendix  D,  a  comparison  of  alternative  plans  for  the  treatment  of  Rock  Creek  valley .  137 

Appendix  E,  botanical  collection .  113 

Appendix  F,  list  of  drawings,  designs,  and  models  illustrating  the  report  of  the  Commission  on 

the  Improvement  of  the  Park  System  of  the  District  of  Columbia .  147 

Appendix  G,  list  of  lands  in  the  District  of  Columbia  devoted  to  public  use .  155 

Appendix  H,  list  of  proposed  additional  reservations .  167 

Appendix  I,  proposed  additions  to  existing  parks .  169 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Note.— The  numbers  on  the  plates  refer  to  the  pictures  in  the  exhibition:  See  Appendix  F. 

Bird's-eye  view  of  general  plan,  from  point  taken  1.000  feet  above  Arlington .  Frontispiece. 

Rock  Creek,  looking  north  from  under  M  street  bridge,  showing  possibility  of  seclusion  from 

disagreeable  surroundings . facing  10 

Rock  Creek,  looking  south  from  P  street,  showing  encroachments  on  the  valley,  by  dumping, 

and  agreeable  tree  growth  still  standing . facing  11 

Model  of  the  Mall,  showing  present  conditions,  looking  east . lacing  17 

Model  of  the  Mall,  showing  present  conditions,  looking  west . facing  17 

Model  of  the  Mall,  showing  treatment  proposed,  looking  west . facing  23 

Model  of  the  Mall,  showing  treatment  proposed,  looking  east . facing  23 

Water  jets  of  the  great  terrace,  Vaux-le-Vicomte,  work  of  Lenotre .  25 

Petite  cascades,  Vaux-le-Vicomte,  work  of  Lenotre .  26 

Fountain  in  front  of  Villa  Medici,  Rome,  suggesting  the  public  value  of  hilltops  wisely 

treated . facing  26 

Fountain,  Barbarini  Palace,  Rome . facing  26 

Fountain,  Piazza  Di  Termini,  Rome . facing  26 

Fountain,  Farnese  Palace,  Rome . facing  26 

Fountain,  Piazza  del  Quirinale,  Rome . facing  26 

Palace  and  garden  of  the  Luxembourg.  Paris.  A  public  garden  enriched  but  not  confused  .facing  26 
Versailles — Avenue  in  the  park,  suggesting  the  shaded  walks  of  the  proposed  monument 

grove . facing  26 

Basin  of  Neptune,  Versailles . facing  26 

Basin  of  Apollo,  Versailles,  showing  the  tapis  vert,  with  road  on  either  side . facing  26 

Basin  of  Latona,  Versailles,  showing  tapis  vert,  with  side  roads  and  general  greensward,  and 

great  canal  beyond . facing  26 

Basin  and  great  canal,  Fontainebleau,  suggestive  of  the  treatment  of  the  canals  west  of  the 

monument . facing  26 

Fountain,  Vaux-le-Vicomte .  27 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


5 


Page. 

Proposed  new  union  station . facing  29 

Interior  view  of  the  proposed  new  union  station . facing  29 

Fountain,  Vaux-le-Vicomte .  30 

On  the  Pincian  Hill,  Rome .  31 

View  of  the  Capitol,  as  seen  from  the  Mall . facing  37 

Section  through  Capitol,  east  and  west . facing  37 

View  showing  proposed  treatment  of  basin,  terraces,  and  Capitol  approaches,  head  of  Mall. .facing  37 
The  Capitol,  west  elevation,  showing  proposed  terrace,  restoration  of  the  Bulfinch  gates  and 

boundary  fence,  fountains,  and  approaches . . . . . facing  37 

Bulfinch  Gatehouse,  formerly  on  Capitol  grounds .  39 

View  showing  the  proposed  treatment  of  Union  Square,  at  the  head  of  the  Mall . facing  41 

View  of  the  Mall  from  Sixth  street . facing  43 

View  of  the  Monument  seen  from  the  Mall  at  Fourteenth  street,  looking  west . facing  44 

Avenue  de  Beaumont,  Compiegne.  The  type  of  vist  i  without  a  roadway . facing  45 

Avenue  at  Cirencester,  England.  A  mall  divided  by  a  central  roadway . facing  45 

Washington,  looking  south  from  the  White  House . facing  47 

Section  through  Monument  gardens,  on  White  House  axis,  showing  proposed  treatment  of 

approaches  and  terraces  forming  a  setting  for  the  Washington  Monument . facing  47 

Section  through  Monument  garden,  on  Capitol  axis,  looking  toward  White  House . facing  47 

Section  through  Mall  at  Fifteenth  street,  looking  west,  showing  Monument  approaches  and  ter- 

Taees . facing  47 

Section  through  canal,  looking  east,  on  White  House  axis,  showing  proposed  treatment  of 

approaches  and  terraces,  forming  a  setting  for  the  Monument . facing  47 

Model  of  the  Monument  garden .  47 

General  view  of  the  Monument  garden  and  Mall,  looking  toward  the  Capitol . facing  48 

Plan  showing  proposed  treatment  of  the  Monument  garden .  48 

View  of  the  Monument  and  terraces  from  the  White  House . facing  49 

View  in  the  Monument  garden,  main  axis,  showing  proposed  treatment  of  approaches  and 

terraces,  forming  a  setting  for  the  Washington  Monument,  looking  east . facing  49 

View  from  the  Monument  terrace,  looking  toward  Arlington . facing  49 

View  of  the  terrace  and  Monument  garden,  looking  east . facing  49 

View  in  Monument  garden,  main  axis,  showing  proposed  treatment  of  approaches  and  terraces, 

forming  a  setting  for  the  Washington  Monument . facing  49 

View  in  the  Monument  garden,  looking  toward  the  White  House . facing  49 

View  of  the  proposed  memorial  structure  on  the  axis  of  the  White  House,  looking  south  . .  .facing  49 

View  of  the  Washington  common  and  public  playgrounds,  showing  proposed  memorial  building, 

baths,  theater,  gymnasium,  and  athletic  buildings . facing  49 

One  of  the  six  pavilions  in  the  Monument  garden .  49 

View  of  terrace  from  base  of  Monument .  50 

View  showing  the  proposed  development  of  the  site  for  the  Lincoln  Memorial,  seen  from  the 

Washington  Monument . facing  51 

View  of  the  Lincoln  Memorial  site  from  the  old  Naval  Observatory . facing  51 

Plan  showing  proposed  treatment  of  the  Lincoln  memorial  site . facing  51 

View  showing  the  proposed  development  of  the  Lincoln  memorial  site,  seen  from  the  canal .  .facing  51 

Section  of  Lincoln  memorial  .  52 

Proposed  development  of  Lincoln  memorial  site,  seen  from  Riverside  drive . facing  57 

Memorial  walk,  Thiergarten,  Berlin . facing  58 

Bird’s-eye  view  of  general  plan,  from  a  point  taken  4,000  feet  above  the  Government  Hospital  for 

the  Insane . facing  63 

Bulfinch  Gatepost,  formerly  on  Capitol  grounds . . .  71 

Temple,  Villa  Borghese,  Rome.  The  architectural  accent  of  a  shaded  vista . facing  75 

Riverside  Park,  wading  pool,  Hartford,  Conn . facing  79 

In  the  girl’s  gymnasium,  Charles  bank,  Boston . facing  80 

Water  basin  at  the  Villa  Medici,  Rome .  80 

Children's  sand  piles,  Charles  bank,  Boston . facing  81 

Open-air  restaurant  in  t lie  Prater,  Vienna .  81 

Open-air  gymnasium,  Charles  River  embankment,  Boston . facing  82 

Le  Pont  Neuf  and  quays,  Paris .  83 

Quays  and  Corso,  Budapest . facing  84 

Typical  treatment  of  Potomac  quay  . .  84 


The  boulevard  of  the  Republic,  Algiers,  showing  wide  commercial  quays  and  storage  spaces 


below  the  boulevard . facing  85 

Typical  section  of  Rock  Creek  parkway.  Alternative  project  with  covered  channel .  85 

Rock  Creek,  looking  north  from  M  street  bridge,  showing  landscape  value  of  the  open-water  sur¬ 
face  and  the  foliage  of  the  valley,  and  indicating  the  disagreeable  character  of  the  high-level 

surroundings . facing  86 

Typical  section  of  Rock  Creek  parkway — Treatment  recommended .  86 


6 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


Page. 

Valley  of  Rock  Creek  Zoological  Park . facing  87 

Fort  Reno.  View  to  the  northeast,  showing  the  necessity  for  controlling  adjacent  private  prop¬ 
erty  if  view  is  to  be  preserved . facing  91 

Fort  Reno.  View  to  the  west.  The  fence  is  the  limit  of  the  present  public  ownership . facing  92 

Typical  section  of  one  of  the  valley  parkways,  such  as  Piney  Branch,  Soapstone  Creek,  and 

Georgetown  parkways .  92 

The  Potomac  above  the  Aqueduct  Bridge,  from  the  level  of  the  proposed  drive,  showing  necessity 

for  public  control  of  the  slopes  below  the  driveway . facing  93 

Terrace,  Villa  d'  Este,  Tivoli,  showing  how  a  declivity  commanding  a  view  is  used  and  emphasized, 

not  disguised .  93 

Cabin  John  Bridge,  a  portion  of  the  Washington  Aqueduct  system . facing  94 

Typical  section  of  Potomac  drive  a  short  distance  above  Aqueduct  Bridge .  94 

View  from  the  terraces,  St.  Germain,  Paris.  Comparable  with  the  view  from  the  proposed  ter¬ 
races  near  Teniey  Circle . facing  95 

Typical  section  of  Potomac  drive  below  the  Chain  Bridge .  95 

The  Great  Falls  of  the  Potomac  at  a  low  stage  of  the  river . facing  96 

Section  of  Savannah  parkway .  100 

Vista,  Villa  Albani,  Rome .  102 

Anacostia  marshes  from  Benning  Bridge,  looking  north,  showing  malarial  flats  to  be  exca¬ 
vated . facing  105 

Anacostia  marshes,  showing  islands  of  free  growth  to  be  saved  by  the  proposed  method  of 

improvement,  from  Benning  Bridge,  looking  north . facing  106 

Oxford— Racing  on  the  Iris .  107 

Henley — A  suggestion  of  Anacostia  Park .  109 

Quays  and  bridges,  Budapest.  Buda  side  of  the  Danube . facing  113 

Nantes,  place  of  the  Duchess  Anne,  showing  quays  and  comprehensive  treatment  of  approach 

to  bridge . facing  114 

Terrace,  Venice,  illustrative  of  water-front  treatment  in  connection  with  formal  design .  114 

The  quays  at  Venice .  115 

The  Washington  channel . facing  117 

Potomac  Park,  from  the  Washington  Monument . facing  118 

Panorama  of  the  city  of  Washington  from  Anacostia;  typical  of  views  from  the  proposed  ridge 

parks . facing  121 

Revere  Beach,  near  Boston.  What  the  people  think  of  its  value . facing  125 

Swimming  pool,  Garfield  Park,  Chicago . facing  126 

Revere  Beach  public  bath  house,  near  Boston . facing  127 

Public  bath,  town  of  Brookline,  Mass .  127, 128 

Bridge  across  the  riverway,  Boston  park  system . facing  140 

Piazza  del  Popolo,  Rome,  a  commanding  situation  wisely  treated  for  the  enjoyment  of  the 
people . facing  141 


LIST  OF  MAPS  AND  PLANS. 


L’Enfant  map  of  Washington  (1791)  . facing  12 

Diagram  of  a  portion  of  the  city,  showing  proposed  sites  for  future  public  buildings . facing  28 

General  plan  of  the  Mall  system . facing  35 

Key  to  Mall  system .  35 

Plan  of  Capitol  grounds,  by  L'Enfant  (1791) .  37 

Plan  of  Capitol  grounds,  by  Thornton,  Architect  of  the  Capitol  (1803) .  38 

Plan  for  Savannah  parkway . facing  100 

Comparison  between  the  present  and  proposed  park  areas  of  the  District  of  Columbia  and  the 

park  areas  of  Boston,  New  York,  London,  and  Paris . facing  155 

Map  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  showing  public  reservations  and  possessions  and  the  permanent 

system  of  highways . following  171 

Map  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  showing  areas  recommended  to  be  taken  as  necessary  for  new 

parks  and  park  connections . . . following  171 

Map  of  the  District  <  f  Columbia,  showing  public  reservations  and  possessions  and  areas  recom¬ 
mended  to  be  taken  as  necessary  for  new  parks  and  park  connections . following  171 


REPORT  OF  THE  SENATE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  DISTRICT 
OF  COLUMBIA  ON  THE  IMPROVEMENT  OF  THE  PARK 
SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


MR.  McMILLAN,  from  the  Committee  on  the  District  of 
Columbia,  on  the  15th  day  of  January,  11102,  presented  the 
following  report: 

The  Committee  on  the  District  of  Columbia,  acting  under  instructions 
of  the  Senate  embodied  in  the  resolution  adopted  March  8,  1901 — 


Resolved ,  That  the  Committee  on  the  District  of  Columbia  be,  and  it  is  hereby, 
directed  to  consider  the  subject  and  report  to  the  Senate  plans  for  the  development 
and  improvement  of  the  entire  park  system  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  For  the 
purpose  of  preparing  such  plans  the  committee  may  sit  during  the  recess  of  Congress, 
and  may  secure  the  services  of  such  experts  as  may  be  necessary  for  a  proper  con¬ 
sideration  of  the  subject.  The  expenses  of  such  investigation  shall  be  paid  from  the 
contingent  fund  of  the  Senate — 


respectfully  report: 

The  desirability  of  a  comprehensive  plan  for  the  development  of  the 
District  of  Columbia  has  long  been  felt  by  Congress.  During  the  past 
Necessity  of  a  com-  few  years  particularly  questions  have  arisen  as  to  the 
prehensive  plan.  location  of  public  buildings,  of  preserving  spaces  for 
parks  in  the  portions  of  the  District  be\rond  the  limits  of  the  city  of 
Washington,  of  connecting  and  developing  existing  parks  by  attractive 
drives,  and  of  providing  for  the  recreation  and  health  of  a  constantly 
growing  population;  and,  in  the  absence  of  a  well-considered  plan,  the 
solution  of  these  grave  problems  has  either  been  postponed  or  else  has 
resulted  in  compromises  that  have  marred  the  beauty  and  dignity  of 
the  national  capital. 


The  action  of  the  Senate  in  ordering  a  comprehensive  plan  for  the 
development  of  the  entire  park  system  of  the  District  of  Columbia  is 
the  resultant  of  two  movements — one  popular  in  char- 

The  Senate  orders 

the  preparation  of  a  acter,  the  other  technical.  In  October,  1898,  the 
citizens  of  the  District  of  Columbia  began  to  arrange 
for  the  celebration,  two  years  later,  of  the  one  hundredth  anniversary 


8 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


of  the  removal  of  the  seat  of  government  to  the  District  of  Columbia. 
The  project,  being  national  in  character  rather  than  local,  was  brought 
to  the  attention  of  the  President,  and  bv  him  was  laid  before  Congress, 
with  the  result  that  a  joint  committee  of  the  two  Houses  was  appointed 
to  act  with  the  citizen’s  committee  in  planning  the  celebration.  In 
December,  1900,  commemorative  exercises,  held  at  the  White  House 
and  at  the  Capitol,  were  participated  in  by  the  Governors  of  the 
States  as  well  as  by  the  officials  of  the  General  Government  and  the 
representatives  of  foreign  powers;  and  the  celebration  was  brought  to 
an  appropriate  end  by  a  reception  and  banquet  given  by  the  Wash¬ 
ington  Board  of  Trade  in  honor  of  the  Congressional  committee  and  the 
distinguished  guests. 

The  keynote  of  the  celebration  was  the  improvement  of  the  District 
of  Columbia  in  a  manner  and  to  an  extent  commensurate  with  the  dig¬ 
nity  and  the  resources  of  the  American  nation.  Senators  and  Con¬ 
gressmen  vied  with  Governor  after  Governor  in  commendation  of  the 
idea  put  forward  by  the  local  committee,  that  the  time  had  come  for 
the  systematic  and  adequate  improvement  of  the  District  of  Columbia.1 

While  the  centennial  exercises  were  in  progress  the  American  Insti¬ 
tute  of  Architects,  in  session  in  this  city,  was  discussing  the  subject 
of  improving  Washington;  and  in  a  series  of  papers  making  sugges¬ 
tions  for  the  development  of  parks  and  the  placing  of  public  buildings, 
the  tentative  ideas  of  a  number  of  the  leading  architects,  sculptors,  and 
landscape  architects  of  the  country  were  put  forward  for  discussion.2 
As  a  result  the  Institute  appointed  a  committee  on  legislation,  and 
consultations  between  that  committee  and  the  Senate  Committee  on 
the  District  of  Columbia  were  followed  by  the  order  of  the  Senate  for 
the  preparation  and  submission  of  a  general  plan  for  the  development 
of  the  entire  park  system  of  the  District. 

II. 

On  March  19,  1901,  the  subcommittee  of  the  District  committee  hav¬ 
ing  the  matter  in  charge  met  the  representatives  of  the  American 

The  appointment  »f  Institute  of  Architects  and  agreed  to  the  proposition 
a  commission.  0f  the  latter  that  Mr.  Daniel  H.  Burnham,  of  Chicago, 

Illinois,  and  Mr.  Frederick  Law  Olmsted,  j r. ,  of  Brookline,  Massa- 

1  Senate  Document  No.  210,  Fifty-sixth  Congress,  second  session. 

2  Papers  relating  to  the  improvement  of  the  city  of  Washington,  December  19,  1900, 
ordered  to  be  printed  by  the  Senate. 


THE  PARK  COMMISSION. 


9 


•chusetts,  be  employed  as  experts,  with  power  to  add  to  their  number. 
These  gentlemen  accepted  the  task,  and  subsequently  invited  Mr. 
Charles  F.  McKim  and  Mr.  Augustus  St.  Gaudens,  of  New  York  City, 
to  act  with  them  in  the  preparation  of  plans.1  The  committee  con¬ 
siders  itself  most  fortunate  in  having  secured  the  services  of  men 
who  had  won  the  very  highest  places  in  their  several  professions. 

As  Director  of  Works  at  the  World’s  Columbian  Exposition,  held 
in  the  city  of  Chicago  in  the  year  1893,  Mr.  Burnham  was  instru- 
mental  in  securing  the  adoption  of  a  scheme  of  construction  which 
placed  that  exhibition  in  the  very  front  rank  of  international  exposi¬ 
tions;  and  by  the  display  of  rare  executive  ability  he  brought  about 
and  maintained  the  effective  cooperation  of  the  architects  and  artists 
who  then  and  there  gave  to  American  art  both  a  new  direction  and  a 
tremendous  impetus. 

As  the  architect  of  the  Boston  Public  Library,  tne  Rhode  Island 
capitol,  the  new  buildings  and  the  fence  at  Harvard  University,  and 
other  structures  of  monumental  character,  Mr.  McKim  is  recognized 
in  his  profession  as  without  a  superior  among  American  architects, 
his  work  being  especially  notable  for  its  simplicity,  directness,  and 
scholarly  qualities. 

Mr.  St.  Gaudens,  by  common  consent,  stands  first  among  American 
sculptors;  and  among  architects  and  artists  his  criticisms  have  the 
authority  of  law. 


Mr.  Olmsted  bears  a  name  identified  with  what  is  best  in  modern  land¬ 
scape  architecture  in  the  District  of  Columbia.  He  is  the  consulting 
landscape  architect  not  only  of  the  vast  system  of  parks  and  boulevards 
which  make  up  the  metropolitan  park  system  of  Boston  and  its  suburbs, 
but  also  of  large  parks  in  various  cities.  To  inherited  taste  he  adds 
the  highest  training,  both  practical  and  theoretical. 

At  the  call  of  their  professional  brethren  and  at  the  request  of  this 
committee  these  men  virtually  put  aside  their  large  and  profitable  pri¬ 
vate  work  and  for  nearly  a  year  devoted  their  time,  their  experience, 
and  their  technical  training  to  the  service  of  the  nation.  These  sacri¬ 
fices  they  have  made  without  pecuniary  reward,  and  at  a  time  in  the 
professional  careers  of  the  majority  of  them  when  success  and  fame 
were  already  secure.  Not  only  is  the  nation  fortunate  in  having 


obtained  the  ripest  talents  of  three  such  distinguished  men.  but  also 


1The  full  report  of  thin  meeting  is  to  be  found  in  Park  Improvement  Papers,  No.  3, 
printed  for  the  use  of  the  Senate  Committee  on  the  District  of  Columbia. 


10  PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 

it  is  a  matter  for  satisfaction  that  the  fourth  member  of  the  Commis¬ 
sion  enters  upon  the  work  at  an  age  when  he  may  be  expected  to 
have  a  part  in  directing  and  shaping  the  development  of  the  ohms 
from  the  beginning  to  the  end. 

III. 


At  the  first  meeting  bet  ween  the  experts — who  for  convenience  have 
been  named  the  Park  Commission — and  the  subcommittee  of  the  Dis¬ 


The  problem  stated. 


trict  committee1  the  problem  was  stated  to  the  Commission  bv  the 
chairman  substantially  as  follows: 

I  he  District  of  Columbia  was  created  as  the  seat  of  government  of 
the  United  States,  and  Washington  was  laid  out  as  distinctivelv  a 
capital  city.  The  first  consideration  in  its  planning 
was  the  location  of  the  public  buildings  and  the 
grounds  relating  to  them.  In  determining  these  locations  each  site 
was  selected  in  reference  to  every  other  site;  the  lines  of  communi¬ 
cation  between  the  various  Departments  were  studied,  and  care  was 
taken  to  provide  not  alone  for  convenience  but  also  for  beauty  and 
dignity.  The  original  plan  of  the  city  of  Washington,  having  stood 
the  test  of  a  century,  has  met  universal  approval.  The  departures 
from  that  plan  are  to  be  regretted  and,  wherever  possible,  remedied. 

I  he  reclamation  of  the  Potomac  flats  has  added  to  the  public  grounds 
a  considerable  area,  one  portion  of  which  must  be  treated  as  a  con¬ 


tinuation  of  the  Mali  and  the  Monument  grounds,  while  the  section 
lying  in  the  river  opposite  the  Washington  Channel  is  susceptible  of 
individual  treatment. 

In  1889  Congress  provided  for  the  purchase  of  one  hundred  and 
seventy  acres  of  land  in  the  valley  of  Rock  Creek  for  the  purpose 
of  establishing  the  National  Zoological  Park:  and  the  next  year  a 
special  act  was  passed  authorizing  the  purchase  of  two  thousand  addi¬ 
tional  acres  extending  from  the  northern  boundaries  of  the  Zoological 
Park  to  the  District  line.  The  amount  of  land  actually  acquired  under 
the  provisions  of  this  act  was  one  thousand  six  hundred  and  five  and 
nine-tenths  acres.  This  territory,  beautified  by  nature,  is  undevel¬ 
oped,  save  for  a  few  roads,  the  location  of  which  was  obvious;  and 
before  the  public  can  realize  fully  the  advantages  of  the  purchase 
liock  Creek  Park  must  be  improved  according  to  a  systematic  plan 
prepared  by  landscape  architects. 


'This  subcommittee  consisted  of  Senators  McMillan,  Gallinger,  and  Martin.  See 
Park  Improvement  Papers,  No.  3. 


NO.  191.— ROCK  CREEK,  LOOKING  NORTH  FROM  UNDER  M  STREET  BRIDGE,  SHOWING  POSSIBILITY  OF  SECLUSION  FROM  DISAGREEABLE 

surroundings. 


GROWTH  STILL  STANDING. 


PROPOSED  PARKS  AND  PARKWAYS. 


11 


The  Anacostia  flats,  comprising-  about  eleven  hundred  acres,  impera¬ 
tively  demand  reclamation,  in  order  to  free  the  eastern  portion  of  the 
city  from  the  malarial  conditions  which  for  3Tears  have  seriously 
retarded  the  development  of  that  section  and  have  constantly  impaired 
the  health  of  those  persons  who  have  been  compelled  to  live  within 
the  miasmal  influences.  Congress,  recognizing  the  deplorable  condi¬ 
tions  to  which  thousands  of  people  either  in  its  employ  or  under  its 
care  are  thus  of  necessity  subjected,  caused  to  be  made  a  survey  and 
estimates  of  cost  of  the  reclamation  of  these  flats,1  and  it  is  believed 
that  the  time  has  now  come  to  enter  upon  this  work  with  the  view  to 
create  a  water  park.  In  this  manner  can  the  park  needs  of  the  District 
best  be  subserved,  and  at  the  smallest  expense. 

The  valley  of  Rock  Creek  from  the  mouth  of  that  stream  to  the  Zoo¬ 
logical  Park  is  unsightly  to  the  verge  of  ugliness.  Congress  has  had 
the  situation  studied  with  a  view  to  finding  a  solution  of  the  difficulty, 
either  by  covering  the  creek  entirely  or  by  creating  a  parkway  through 
the  valley.  The  need  of  a  definite  plan  of  treatment  is  shown  in  a 
striking  manner  by  the  fact  that  on  the  line  of  Connecticut  avenue  a 
bridge  is  in  course  of  construction;  while  on  the  line  of  Massachusetts 
avenue  a  culvert  is  building,  the  obvious  intention  being  to  fill  the 
entire  valley  southward  to  the  mouth  of  the  creek.  A  decision  should 
be  reached  as  to  whether  the  creek  is  to  be  covered  or  is  to  remain 
open,  and  also  as  to  the  treatment  of  the  space  in  either  case. 

The  development  of  Potomac  and  Rock  Creek  parks,  the  creation  of 
a  park  along  the  Anacostia,  and  the  increasing  use  of  the  Soldiers’ 
Home  grounds  for  park  purposes,  all  call  for  a  study  of  connections 
among  the  parks,  so  as  to  bring  into  one  system  the  diversified  attrac¬ 
tions  which  these  public  spaces  will  offer  when  adequately  developed. 
The  positive  squalor  which  to-day  mars  the  entrance  to  almost  every 
public  park  is  too  apparent  to  need  discussion. 

IV. 

Aside  from  the  pleasure  and  the  positive  benefits  to  health  that  the 
people  derive  from  public  parks,  in  a  capital  cdy  like  Washington 
The  original  plan  of  there  is  a  distinct  use  of  public  spaces  as  the  indis- 

Washinarton.  ,  i  «  •  •  i.  .,  ,  /-, 

pensable  means  of  giving  dignity  to  (government 
buildings  and  of  making  suitable  connections  between  the  great 


1  House  of  Representatives  Executive  Document  No.  30,  Fifty-second  Congress, 
first  session,  report  of  Lieut.  P.  C.  Hains,  and  House  of  Representatives  Document 
No.  87,  Fifty-fifth  Congress,  third  session,  report  of  Col.  C.  J.  Allen. 


12 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


departments.  When  the  city  of  Washington  was  planned  under  the 
direct  and  minute  supervision  of  Washington  and  Jefferson,  the  rela¬ 
tions  that  should  subsist  between  the  Capitol  and  the  President’s 
House  were  closely  studied.  Indeed  the  whole  city  was  planned  with 
a  view  to  the  reciprocal  relations  that  should  exist  among  public 
buildings.  Vistas  and  axes;  sites  for  monuments  and  museums;  parks 
and  pleasure  gardens;  fountains  and  canals;  in  a  word,  all  that  goes 
to  make  a  city  a  magnificent  and  consistent  work  of  art  were  regarded 
as  essentials  in  the  plans  made  by  L’Enfant  under  the  direction  of  the 
first  President  and  his  Secretary  of  State. 

Nor  were  these  original  plans  prepared  without  due  study  of  great 
models.  The  stately  art  of  landscape  architecture  had  been  brought 
oversea  by  royal  governors  and  wealthy  planters;  and  both  Wash¬ 
ington  and  Jefferson  were  familiar  with  the  practice  of  that  art. 
L  Enfant,  a  man  of  position  and  education,  and  an  engineer  of  ability, 
must  have  been  familiar  with  those  great  works  of  the  master  Lenotre 
which  are  still  the  admiration  of  the  traveler  and  the  constant  pleasure 
of  the  French  people.  Moreover,  from  his  well-stocked  library  Jeffer¬ 
son  sent  to  L’Enfant  plans  ““on  a  large  and  accurate  scale”  of  Paris, 
Amsterdam,  Frankfort,  Carlsruhe,  Strasburg,  Orleans,  Turin,  Milan, 
and  other  European  cities,  at  the  same  time  felicitating  himself  that 
the  President  had  “left  the  planning  of  the  town  in  such  good  hands.” 

The  object  of  the  present  investigation  is  to  prepare  for  the  city  of 
Washington  such  a  plan  as  shall  enable  future  development  to  proceed 
along  the  lines  originally  planned— namely,  the  treatment  of  the  city 
as  a  work  of  civic  art — and  to  develop  the  outlying  parks  as  portions 
of  a  single  well-considered  system. 

V. 

The  nature  and  scope  of  the  work  having  been  outlined  to  the 
Commission,  they  entered  upon  their  task  not  without  hesitation  and 
misgivings.  The  problem  was  both  difficult  and  com- 

The  work  broadens. 

plex.  Much  had  to  be  done;  much,  also,  must  be 
undone.  Moreover,  no  sooner  was  the  membership  of  the  Commis¬ 
sion  announced  than  their  aid  and  advice  was  sought  in  relation  to 
buildings  and  memorials  under  consideration,  so  that  immediately  the 
range  of  the  work  broadened.  Thus  the  importance  and  usefulness 
of  the  Commission  were  enhanced. 

The  cordial  reception  which  the  Commission  have  met  from  the 


NO.  61— L’ENFANT  MAP  OF  WASHINGTON  (1791 ). 


•r* l 


OPINIONS  OF  CABINET  OFFICERS. 


13 


highest  officials  of  the  Government  and  the  opportunities  of  useful¬ 
ness  that  have  been  opened  to  its  members  are  alike  significant  and 
gratifying.  With  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture  and 
the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  the  Supervising  Architect  consulted  the 
Commission  at  every  stage  in  the  selection  of  an  architect  for  and  the 
location  of  the  new  building  for  the  Department  of  Agriculture.1  The 
Secretary  of  War,  under  whose  supervision  the  public  buildings  and 
grounds  of  the  city  come,  was  moved  to  say  in  his  latest  annual  report: 

The  many  duties  of  the  War  Department  in  relation  to  the  public  buildings  and 
grounds  of  Washington  and  to  the  statues  and  memorials  authorized  or  proposed  by 
Congress  have  brought  the  Department  into  frequent  conference  with  the  Com¬ 
mission  selected  by  the  Senate  Committee  on  the  District  of  Columbia  to  prepare 
plans  for  the  development  of  the  park  system  of  the  District,  consisting  of  Messrs. 
Daniel  H.  Burnham,  Charles  F.  McKim,  and  Frederick  Law  Olmsted,  jr.,  who 
have  now  associated  with  them  Mr.  Augustus  St.  Gaudens.  In  admirable  spirit  that 
Commission  seeks  to  restore  and  develop  the  original  designs  of  President  Washing¬ 
ton  and  L’ Enfant,  and  the  plans  which  they  are  about  to  present  for  the  work  to  be 
done  hereafter  in  making  the  capital  city  more  beautiful  have  the  hearty  approval 
and  sympathy  of  the  War  Department,  and  will,  if  they  shall  happily  be  adopted, 
have  that  Department’s  cordial  cooperation. 

The  Attorney-General,  in  referring  to  the  proposed  building  for  the 
Department  of  Justice,  says  in  his  annual  report  for  1901: 

No  building  should  be  constructed  except  such  as  will  meet  the  just  expectations 
not  only  of  the  present  but  of  future  generations.  The  building  should  be  worthy 
of  the  purpose  to  which  it  is  to  be  devoted  and  of  the  Government  whose  dignity  it  in 
part  represents.  In  this  connection  due  regard  should  be  had  to  the  general  plan 
for  the  adornment  of  Washington,  which  is  now  under  consideration  by  a  competent 
Commission.  Washington  has  become  a  city  not  only  of  cosmopolitan  dignity  but 
of  exceptional  beauty,  and  no  building  should  be  so  constructed  or  located  as  to  mar 
the  symmetry  of  its  development. 

The  Commissioners  of  the  District  of  Columbia  and  the  officials 
connected  with  their  office  have  given  repeated  and  cordial  assurance 
of  their  interest  in  a  systematic  development  of  the  park  system  of 
the  District,  not  only  by  consultations,  but  also  by  placing  the 
resources  of  their  office  at  the  disposal  of  the  Commission.  In  their 
annual  report  the  District  Commissioners  say: 

An  important  expression  of  the  new  feeling  in  Congress  respecting  the  District  of 
Columbia  was  the  creation,  at  the  extraordinary  session  of  the  Senate,  in  March  last, 

1  The  Park  Commission,  acting  with  the  Supervising  Architect  of  the  Treasury 
Department,  approved  the  programme  of  competition,  named  ten  firms  of  architects 
who  competed,  and  made  the  award,  selecting  the  design  submitted  by  Messrs.  Lord 
&  Hewlett,  of  New  York  City. 


14 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


under  the  authority  of  a  Senate  resolution,  by  the  Committee  on  the  District  of 
Columbia,  of  a  Commission  of  eminent  architects  and  landscape  engineers  to  prepare 
a  general  plan  for  improvement  of  the  park  system  of  the  District  of  Columbia. 
The  Commissioners  of  the  District  of  Columbia  have  been  glad  to  act  in  cooperation 
with  this  Commission,  and  trust  that  its  project  for  beautifying  of  the  national  capital 
will  be  adopted  by  Congress  as  the  working  plan  for  the  years  to  come.  For  years 
the  Commissioners  of  the  District  of  Columbia  and  other  public  officers,  and  the 
citizens  of  the  District,  have  been  hoping  that  such  a  comprehensive  scheme  of 
improvement  of  the  park  system,  and  therefore  of  the  whole  District,  would  be 
adopted,  in  order  that  its  aesthetic  development  might  be  made  harmonious  and 
complete  and  in  accordance  with  the  best  ideals. 

To  the  Secretary  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  the  Superintendent 
of  the  Coast  Survey,  the  Officer  in  Charge  of  Public  Buildings  and 
Grounds,  and  the  officers  of  the  Corps  of  Engineers  engaged  on  the 
improvement  of  the  Potomac  River  Front  the  Commission  are  under 
obligations  for  assistance  and  information  without  which  their  labors 
must  have  been  prolonged  indefinitely,  if  not  entirely  defeated.  The 
representative  bodies  of  the  citizens  of  the  District  of  Columbia  and 
the  press  also  have  given  encouragement  and  support  to  the  work, 
and  have  furnished  suggestions  of  great  value  because  based  on  expe¬ 
rience  of  the  needs  of  the  people. 


VI. 

After  a  detailed  examination  of  the  topographical  features  of  the 
District  of  Columbia,  the  Commission  drew  up  preliminary  plans. 

They  were  then  forced  to  the  conclusion  that  an  ade- 

The  railroad  problem. 

quate  treatment  of  the  park  system  depends  upon  the 
exclusion  of  the  Baltimore  and  Potomac  Railroad  from  public  grounds, 
so  as  to  allow  that  dignified  approach  to  the  Capitol  for  which  the 
Mall  was  originally  designed. 

The  occupation  of  the  Mall  by  the  railroad  dates  back  to  1872, 
at  which  time,  in  order  to  secure  competition  in  freight  and  pas¬ 
senger  traffic,  the  then  local  government  of  the  District  of  Columbia 
granted  the  lands,  and  subsequently  Congress  confirmed  the  grant.1 
In  extenuation  of  the  original  occupation,  it  may  be  urged  that  the 
space  was  then  no  better  than  a  common  pasture  and  that  the  railroad 

1  The  board  of  aldermen  and  the  board  of  common  council  granted  the  Mall  site 
to  the  Baltimore  and  Potomac  Railroad  on  March  20,  1871.  See  Evening  Star, 
March  21,  1871,  for  report  of  proceedings.  This  action  by  the  District  authorities 
was  confirmed  by  act  of  Congress  approved  May  21,  1872;  chapter  189,  Statutes  at 
Large,  Forty-second  Congress,  second  session. 


THE  RAILROAD  PROBLEM. 


15 


but  took  the  place  of  the  canal  which  it  paralleled;  so  that  conditions 
were  improved  by  the  change,  as  undoubtedly  proved  to  be  the  case. 
Be  that  as  it  may,  the  railroad  holds  the  right  to  use  the  property 
by  a  title  good  in  law  and  in  equity;  and  by  virtue  of  a  recent  act  of 
Congress  the  railroad  space  has  been  enlarged,  in  consideration  of  the 
surrender  of  street  trackage  and  the  proposed  elevation  of  the  tracks 
within  the  city  of  Washington. 

It  so  happened  that  the  chairman  of  the  Commission,  Mr.  Burnham, 
is  the  architect  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad’s  new  station  at  Pittsburg, 
and  he  had  also  drawn  for  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  the  preliminary 
plans  for  the  Baltimore  and  Potomac  station  in  Washington.  After 
consultation  with  the  subcommittee,  Mr.  Burnham  proposed  to  the 
president  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  that  the  station  be  built  on  the 
south  side  of  the  Mall  and  lands  adjoining.  The  architectural  and 


European  studies. 


other  advantages  of  the  proposed  site  were  set  forth  with  such  vigor  as 
to  command  serious  consideration.  There  the  matter  rested  for  a  time. 

The  Commission,  in  order  to  make  a  closer  study  of  the  practice  of 
landscape  architecture  as  applied  to  parks  and  public  buildings,  made 
a  brief  trip  to  Europe,  visiting  Rome,  Venice,  Vienna, 
Budapest,  Paris,  London,  and  their  suburbs.  Atten¬ 
tion  was  directed  principally  to  ascertaining  what  arrangement  of 
park  areas  best  adapts  them  to  the  uses  of  the  people,  and  what  are 
the  elements  that  give  pleasure  from  generation  to  generation,  and 
even  from  century  to  century.  The  many  and  striking  results  of  this 
study  will  appear  in  the  discussions  that  follow. 

It  was  during  the  stay  of  the  Commission  in  London  that  President 


Cassatt  announced  to  Mr.  Burnham  his  willingness  to  consider  the 
question,  not  of  moving  the  Baltimore  and  Potomac  station  to  the  south 
side  of  the  Mall,  but  of  withdrawing  altogether  from  that  region  and 
uniting  with  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad  Company  in  the  erec¬ 
tion  of  a  union  station  on  the  site  established  by  legislation  for  the 
new  depot  of  that  road,  provided  suitable  legislation  be  secured  to 
make  compensation  for  the  increased  expense  such  a  change  would 
involve,  and  provided,  also,  that  the  approaches  to  the  new  site  be 
made  worthy  of  the  building  the  railroads  propose  to  erect. 


Subsequent  examination  convinced  the  Commission  that,  from  an 
ajsthetic  standpoint,  there  are  insuperable  objections  to  the  depot  site 
provided  by  law.  The  chief  objection  is  that  were  the 

The  union  station.  '  .......  ii 

station  to  front  on  C  street  a  train  shed  eight  hundred 
feet  wide  would  be  thrown  across  Massachusetts  avenue,  one  of  the 


1(3 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


great  thoroughfares  of  the  city.  Not  only  would  the  vistas  be  blocked 
by  a  commercial  building,  but  also  the  street  would  be  carried  under¬ 
neath  this  enormous  structure  in  a  tunnel  so  long  as  to  cause  the 
avenue  to  be  avoided  by  traffic.  The  Commission  thereupon  proposed 
a  site  fronting  on  Massachusetts  avenue,- and  again  the  officials  of  the 
railroad  company  consented  to  a  change  of  location. 

I  he  plans  call  for  a  station  eig’ht.  feet  and  eight  inches  long’er  than 
the  Capitol,  the  building  to  be  of  white  marble,  the  facade  to  be  Roman 
in  style  of  architecture,  and  the  construction  and  arrangements  to  be 
so  planned  as  to  make  this  station  superior  to  any  structure  ever 
erected  for  railway  purposes.  Facing  the  Capitol,  and  yet  not  too 
near  that  edifice,  the  new  station  will  front  upon  a  plaza  six  hundred 
feet  in  width  and  twelve  hundred  feet  in  length,  where  bodies  of 
troops  or  large  organizations  can  be  formed  during  inaugural  times  or 
on  other  like  occasions.  Thus  located  and  constructed,  the  union  depot 
will  be  in  reality  the  great  and  impressive  gateway  to  Washington. 

It  should  be  said  here  that  in  considering  the  views  of  the  Commis¬ 
sion,  and  in  reaching  his  decision,  the  president  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  looked  at  the  matter  from  the  standpoint  of  an  American 
citizen,  saying  in  substance  that  he  appreciated  the  fact  that  if  Con¬ 
gress  intended  to  make  of  the  Mall  what  the  founders  of  the  city 
intended  it  to  be,  no  railroad  should  be  allowed  to  cross  it;  and  that  he 
was  willing  to  vacate  the  space  provided  the  matter  could  be  arranged 
without  sacrificing  the  interests  of  the  stockholders  of  the  Pennsyl¬ 
vania  Railroad.1 

VII. 


Thi 


s  conditional  consent  on  the  part  of  the  railroad  removed  the  one 


great  obstacle  to  the  preparation  of  adequate  plans  for  the  improve¬ 
ment  of  the  city.  Lesser  obstacles,  such  as  the  lack  of  surveys  of  the 
oldest  pai  ks  in  the  District  and  the  difficulties  of  getting  tog'ether 
the  widely  scattered  data,  have  been  surmounted.  On  the  other  hand, 
the  work  has  been  much  lightened  by  the  excellent  topographical  maps 
of  the  District  outside  of  the  city,  prepared  by  the  Coast  and  Geodetic 
Survey. 


1  he  plans  prepared  by  the  Commission  and  submitted  to  the  Senate 
with  this  report  are  the  most  comprehensive  ever  provided  for  the 
The  character  of  the  development  of  an  American  city.  Every  portion  of 
,,Ia"s‘  the  District  of  Columbia  has  been  studied;  in  the  out¬ 

lying  sections  those  spaces  best  adapted  for  parks,  both  small  and 

See  Senate  bill  No.  4825,  Report  No.  982,  Fifty-sixth  Congress. 


•  .  ,-v,. 

kSf*'**: 

NO.  34.— MODEL  OF  THE  MALL,  SHOWING  PRESENT  CONDITIONS.  LOOKING  EAST 


n rj 


NO.  34.— MODEL  OF  THE  MALL,  SHOWING  PRESENT  CONDITIONS.  LOOKING  WEST. 


OOMPKEHENSIVENESS  OF  THE  PLAN. 


17 


large,  have  been  marked;  the  most  convenient  and  the  most  pictur¬ 
esque  connections  between  the  various  parks  have  been  mapped;  the 
individual  treatment  which  each  particular  important  park  should 
undergo  is  recommended;  an  extension  of  the  park  system  to  Great 
Falls  and  to  Mount  Vernon  is  discussed;  the  development  of  the 
Mall  receives  detailed  and  elaborate  treatment;  the  location  of  new 
public  buildings,  whether  legislative,  executive,  or  municipal  in  char¬ 
acter,  has  been  arranged  according  to  a  rational  system  of  grouping; 
and  those  memorials  which  mark  great  epochs  or  great  crises  in  our 
national  history  have  been  brought  into  harmonious  relations  with  the 
general  scheme  of  development. 

As  a  result  of  this  comprehensive  treatment  every  considerable 
undertaking  within  the  District  may  be  brought  into  the  general  plan 
and  made  to  contribute  its  part  to  enhancing  value  of  the  whole. 
More  than  this,  no  such  undertaking  should  be  allowed  to  invade,  to 
mutilate,  or  to  mar  the  symmetry,  simplicity,  and  dignity  of  the  one 
great  composition  designed  to  comprehend  the  entire  District  of 
Columbia. 

VIII. 

In  working  out  the  plans  the  Commission  found  it  necessary  to 
have  prepared  two  models,  one  showing  the  existing  disturbed  condi- 

Modeis  and  uiustra-  tions  in  the  section  from  the  Library  of  Congress 
westward  to  the  Potomac,  and  the  other  showing  the 
arrangement  proposed.  These  models,  constructed  with  the  utmost 
attention  to  the  details  of  topography,  are  accurate  maps  of  the 
section  they  so  graphically  depict.  Not  only  are  they  absolutely 
essential  to  the  designers,  but  they  are  also  the  guides  in  carrying 
the  plans  to  completion.  So  that,  as  the  years  pass,  those  persons 
who  may  be  charged  with  the  task  of  improvement  will  be  under  no 
uncertainty  as  to  the  particular  treatment  intended.1  A  third  model, 
representing  the  Monument  garden,  shows  with  nice  elaboration  of 
detail  the  terraces,  the  buildings,  the  fountains,  and  the  approaches 
designed  to  furnish  that  august  structure  its  appropriate  setting.2 

In  order  to  present  in  graphic  fashion  particular  features  of  the 
plans,  the  accurate  architectural  drawings  have  been  rendered  in  color 
by  a  number  of  the  most  famous  illustrators  of  the  day,  and  by*  means 

1  These  models  were  made  under  the  direction  of  George  Carroll  Curtis,  geograph¬ 
ical  sculptor,  of  Boston. 

2  The  Monument  garden  was  modeled  by  Mr.  Merz,  of  New  York  City. 


18 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


of  these  pictures  a  clear  and  distinct  idea  of  the  appearance  of  the 
completed  work  can  be  obtained.1 


IX. 


The  plans  as  prepared  call  for  systematic,  continuous  work,  which 
of  necessity  must  be  prolonged  through  a  considerable  number  of 
Concentration  of  au-  years-  The  park  system  of  the  District  of  Columbia 
thorltu  is  placed  by  law  under  the  control  of  the  Chief  of 

Engineers  of  the  United  States  Army,2  but  individual  portions  of  the 
system  are  subject  to  separate  control.  It  is  essential  to  the  harmoni¬ 
ous  and  successful  development  of  the  improvements  that  there  shall 
be  a  greater  concentration  of  authority,  and  the  constant  employment 
of  professional  advice.  No  work  should  be  entered  upon  without  the 
preparation  of  detailed  plans,  to  be  approved  by  the  highest  possible 
authority  as  being  in  accord  with  the  general  s3rstem. 

Obviously  it  is  impossible  to  make  even  an  approximate  estimate  of 
the  cost  of  improvements  which  are  to  be  completed  in  an  indefinite 
The  question  ex-  future;  nor  is  such  an  estimate  necessary.  From  time 
P‘“nse-  to  time  new  buildings  must  be  constructed  to  meet  the 

constantly  increasing  needs  of  the  Government,  and  as  appropriations 
come  to  be  made  the  buildings  should  be  located  so  that  each  new 
structure  will  fit  into  its  appropriate  place  in  the  great  scheme.  Year 


1  From  January  15  to  February  25,  1902,  the  models  and  pictures  were  exhibited 
at  the  Corcoran  Museum  of  Art,  the  trustees  of  which  institution  very  kindly  having 
placed  several  rooms  at  the  disposal  of  the  committee  for  the  purpose  of  the  exhibi¬ 
tion.  Later  the  entire  exhibition  was  removed  to  the  Library  of  Congress,  where  it 
now  is  displayed  in  the  Division  of  Prints.  For  a  list  of  the  illustrations  presented 
see  Appendix  K. 

2  See  act  of  July  1,  1898,  entitled  “An  act  to  vest  in  the  Commissioners  of  the 
District  of  Columbia  control  of  street  parking  in  said  District.”  Section  2  provides: 

“That  the  park  system  of  the  District  of  Columbia  is  hereby  placed  under  the 
exclusive  charge  and  control  of  the  Chief  of  Engineers  of  the  United  States  Army, 
■under  such  regulations  as  may  be  prescribed  by  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
through  the  Secretary  of  War.  The  said  park  system  shall  be  held  to  comprise: 
(a)  All  public  spaces  laid  down  as  reservations  on  the  map  of  eighteen  hundred  and 
ninety-four  accompanying  the  annual  report  for  eighteen  hundred  and  ninety-four 
of  the  officer  in  charge  of  public  buildings  and  grounds;  (b)  All  portions  of  the  spac ; 
in  the  streets  and  avenues  of  the  said  District,  after  the  same  shall  have  been  set 
aside  by  the  Commissioners  of  the  District  of  Columbia  for  park  purposes:  Provided, 
That  no  areas  less  than  two  hundred  and  fifty  square  feet  between  side  walk  lines 
shall  be  included  within  the  said  park  system.” 


THE  NEED  OF  COOPERATION. 


19 


by  year  lands  must  be  secured  for  Government  or  municipal  institu¬ 
tions,  and  by  foresight  and  good  judgment  these  purposes  can  readily 
be  made  to  enhance  the  beauty  and  utility  of  the  park  system.  As  the 
finances  of  the  District  will  allow,  the  parks  are  bound  to  be  developed 
and  those  facilities  for  enjoyment  which  civic  life  increasingly  demands 
will  be  supplied.  So  fast  as  provision  may  be  made  for  these  improve¬ 
ments,  let  the  work  be  done  in  accordance  with  plans  at  once  simple, 
adequate,  dignified,  and  comprehensive. 

B}t  the  patient  and  steadfast  cooperation  of  all  those  persons  charged 
with  the  upbuilding  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  a  result  may*  be 
The  need  of  cooper-  attained  such  as  has  been  reached  in  no  other  capital 
cit\r  of  the  modern  world.  The  task  is  indeed  a 
stupendous  one;  it  is  much  greater  than  any  one  generation  can  hope 
to  accomplish.  The  very  hearty  and  intelligent  cooperation  that  the 
plans  have  been  received  by  the  officers  of  the  Government,  the  com¬ 
mittees  of  Congress,  and  by  the  public  generally  makes  it  reasonably 
certain  that  the  development  of  the  National  Capital  will  be  prose¬ 
cuted  along  the  general  lines  proposed;  and  that  the  city  which 
Washington  and  Jefferson  planned  with  so  much  care  and  with  such 
prophetic  vision  will  continue  to  expand,  keeping  pace  with  national 
advancement,  until  it  becomes  the  visible  expression  of  the  power 
and  taste  of  the  people  of  the  United  States. 


♦ 


REPORT  OF  THE  PARK  COMMISSION. 


MEMBERS  OF  THE  COMMISSION. 

DANIEL  H.  BURNHAM,  Chairman. 
CHARLES  F.  McKIM. 

AUGUSTUS  SAINT  GAUDENS. 
FREDERICK  LAW  OLMSTED,  Jr. 


21 


Executive  group 


Lincoln  Memorial 


Washington  Common 


[liregjimi  man 


Legislative  group  of  buildings, 


Union  Station 


NO.  35.— MODEL  OF  THE  MALL,  SHOWING  TREATMENT  PROPOSED.  LOOKING  WEST. 


Executive  group  of  buildings. 


Legislative  group  of  buildings 


Washington  Common. 


Potomac  Park 


Lincoln  Memorial. 


Memorial  Bridge. 


NO.  35.  MODEL  OF  THE  MALL,  SHOWING  TREATMENT  PROPOSED.  LOOKING  EAST. 


REPORT  OF  THE  PARK  COMMISSION  TO  THE  SENATE 
COMMITTEE  ON  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


SIR:  The  Commission  appointed  by  the  Senate  Committee  on  the 
District  of  Columbia  to  prepare  a  plan  for  the  development  and 
the  improvement  of  the  entire  park  system  of  the  District  of 
Columbia  respectfully  report- 


I. 


The  city  of  Washington  differs  from  all  other  American  cities  in  the 
fact  that  in  its  original  plan  parks  were  laid  out  as  settings  for  public 
buildings.  Even  its  broad  avenues  were  arranged  so  as  to  enhance 
the  effect  of  the  great  edifices  of  the  nation;  and  the  squares  at  the 
intersection  of  the  wide  thoroughfares  were  set  apart  as  sites  for 
memorials  to  be  erected  by  the  various  States.  Parks,  in  the  modern 
sense  of  large  public  recreation  grounds,  there  were  none;  but  small 
areas  designed  to  beautify  the  connections  between  the  various  depart¬ 
ments  of  Government  were  numerous. 

During  the  nineteenth  century,  however,  the  development  of  urban 
life  and  the  expansion  of  cities  has  brought  into  prominence  the  need, 
not  recognized  a  hundred  years  ago,  for  large  parks  to  preserve 
artificially  in  our  cities  passages  of  rural  or  sylvan  scenery  and  for 
spaces  adapted  to  various  special  forms  of  recreation.  Moreover,  dur¬ 
ing  the  century  that  has  elapsed  since  the  foundation  of  the  city  the 
great  space  known  as  the  Mall,  which  was  intended 
to  form  a  unified  connection  between  the  Capitol  and 
the  White  House,  and  to  furnish  sites  for  a  certain  class  of  public 
buildings,  has  been  diverted  from  its  original  purpose  and  cut  into 
fragments,  each  portion  receiving  a  separate  and  individual  informal 

treatment,  thus  invading  what  was  a  single  composition.  Again, 

23 


Changes  In  the  Mall. 


24 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


many  reservations  have  passed  from  public  into  private  ownership, 
with  the  result  that  public  buildings  have  lost  their  appropriate  sur¬ 
roundings,  and  new  structures  have  been  built  without  that  landscape 
setting  which  the  founders  of  the  city  relied  on  to  give  them  beauty 
and  dignitv. 

Happily,  however,  little  has  been  lost  that  can  not  be  regained  at 
reasonable  cost.  Fortunately,  also,  during  the  years  that  have  passed 
the  Capitol  has  been  enlarged  and  ennobled,  and  the  Washington 
Monument,  wonderful  alike  as  an  engineering  feat  and  a  work  of  art, 


has  been  constructed  on  a  site  that  may  be  brought 
into  relations  with  the  Capitol  and  the  White  House. 


Improvements  ac¬ 
complished. 


Doubly  fortunate,  moreover,  is  the  fact  that  the  vast  and  successful 
work  of  the  engineers  in  redeeming  the  Potomac  banks  from  unhealth  - 
ful  conditions  gives  opportunity  for  enlarging  the  scope  of  the  earlier 
plans  in  a  manner  corresponding  to  the  growth  of  the  country.  At 
the  same  time  the  development  of  Potomac  Park  both  provides  for  a 
connection  between  the  parks  on  the  west  and  those  on  the  east,  and 
also  it  may  readily  furnish  sites  for  those  memorials  which  history 
has  shown  to  be  worthy  a  place  in  vital  relation  to  the  great  buildings 
and  monuments  erected  under  the  personal  supervision  of  the  founders 
of  the  Republic. 

Now  that  the  demand  for  new  public  buildings  and  memorials  has 
reached  an  acute  stage,  there  has  been  hesitation  and  embarrassment 
in  locating  them  because  of  the  uncertainty  in  securing  appropriate 
sites.  The  Commission  were  thus  brought  face  to  face  with  the  prob¬ 
lem  of  devising  such  a  plan  as  shall  tend  to  restore  that  unity  of  design 
which  was  the  fundamental  conception  of  those  who  first  laid  out  the 
city  as  a  national  capital,  and  of  formulating  definite  principles  for  the 
placing  of  those  future  structures  which,  in  order  to  become  effective, 
demand  both  a  landscape  setting  and  a  visible  orderly  relation  one  to 
another  for  their  mutual  support  and  enhancement. 

To  the  unique  problem  of  devising  a  way  of  return  to  the  original 
plan  of  the  city  of  Washington,  was  added  the  task  of  suggesting  lines 


for  the  development  of  those  large  parks  which  have 
been  obtained  in  recent  years  either  by  purchase  or 


The  original  plan  of 
Washington. 


by  reclamation;  of  advising  the  acquisition  of  such  additional  spaces 
as  are  deemed  necessary  to  create  a  modern  park  system;  and  of  select¬ 
ing  for  purchase  and  improvement  suitable  connections  between  the 
various  park  areas. 


RETURN  TO  L’ENFANT  PLAN. 


25 


i  r. 


If  Washington  were  not  a  nation’s  capital,  in  which  the  location  of 
public  buildings  is  of  the  first  importance,  and  if  the  city  itself  were 
not  by  its  very  plan  tied  to  a  historic  past,  the  problem  would  be  less 
complicated.  The  very  fact  that  Washington  and  Jefferson,  L’Enfant 
Washington  as  a  anc^  Ellicott,  and  their  immediate  successors,  drew 
capital  city.  inspiration  from  the  world’s  greatest  works  of  land¬ 

scape  architecture  and  of  civic  adornment  made  it  imperative  to  go 
back  to  the  sources  of  their  knowledge  and  taste  in  order  to  restore 


unity  and  harmony 
to  their  creations 
and  to  guide  future 
development  along 
appropriate  lines. 

Indeed  the  more 
the  Commission 
studied  the  li  r  s  t 
plans  of  the  Fed¬ 
eral  City,  the  more 
they  became  con¬ 
vinced  that  the 
greatest  service 
they  could  perform 
would  be  done  by 
carrying  to  a  legitimate  conclusion  the  comprehensive,  intelligent, 
and  yet  simple  and  straightforward  scheme  devised  by  L’Enfant 
under  the  direction  of  Washington  and  Jefferson.1 

L’Enfant’s  plan 2  shows  that  he  was  familiar  with  the  work  of  Lenotre, 


No.  148. — Water  jets  of  the  great  terrace,  Vaux-le-Vieomte,  work  of 

Lenotre. 


through  the  courtesy  of  the  Hon.  Lyman  J.  Gage,  former  Secretary  of  the  Treas¬ 
ury,  the  Commission  were  enabled  to  visit  those  historic  towns  and  estates  on  the 
Potomac  and  James  rivers  and  on  Chesapeake  Bay  among  which  Washington  passed 
his  life,  and  which  exemplify  the  principles  of  plan  and  design  for  which  the  seven¬ 
teenth  century  was  famous.  Meager  and  slight  as  these  examples  of  formal  landscape 
treatment  seem  when  compared  with  their  European  prototypes,  they  nevertheless 
possess  a  simple  dignity  and  stateliness,  and  they  evince  an  acquaintance  on  the  part 
of  their  designers  with  the  fundamental  principles  of  art. 

2  The  L’Enfant’s  plan  was  in  charge  of  the  Commissioners  of  the  District  of  Colum¬ 
bia  from  1791  to  1802;  of  the  Superintendent  of  Public  Buildings  from  1802  to  1815; 
of  the  Commissioner  of  Public  Buildings  from  1815  to  1850,  and  since  1850  to  the 
present  time,  of  the  Commissioner  of  Public  Buildings  and  Grounds.  The  map  is 
largely  illegible,  but  has  been  reproduced  by  the  Coast  and  Geodetic  Survey. 


26 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


whose  examples  of  landscape  architecture,  not  only  in  France  but  also  in 
Italy  and  England,  are  still  the  admiration  of  the  world.  We  know, 
also,  that  L' Enfant  had  the  advantage  of  those  maps  of  foreign  cities, 
“drawn  on  a  large  and  accurate  scale,”  which  Jefferson  gathered  during 
liis  public  service  abroad,  and  we  learn  from  Jefferson’s  letters  how 
he  adjured  L’Enfant  not  to  depart  from  classical  models,  but  to  follow 
those  examples  which  the  world  had  agreed  to  admire.  In  order  to 
restudv  these  same  models  and  to  take  note  of  the  great  civic  works  of 
Europe,  the  Commission  spent  five  weeks  of  the  summer  of  1901  in  for¬ 
eign  travel,  visiting  London.  Paris,  Rome,  Venice,  Vienna,  Budapest, 
Frankfort,  and  Berlin.  Among  the  many  problems  with  which  the 
Commission  is  called  upon  to  deal  there  is  not  one  which  has  not  been 
dealt  with  in  some  one  of  the  cities  mentioned,  and  by  way  either  of 
example  or  of  warning  the  lessons  of  the  past  have  been  brought  to 
bear  upon  the  present  work. 

III. 


On  beginning  work  the  Commission  were  confronted  by  the  fact  that 
while  from  the  first  of  October  till  about  the  middle  of  May  the  climatic 
Climatic  conditions  conditions  of  Washington  are  most  salubrious,  dur- 
1,1  "ahl,h,^t0,,‘  ing  the  remaining  four  and  a  half  months  the  city 
is  subject  to  extended  periods  of  intense  heat,  during  which  all 

public  business  is 
conducted  at  an 
undue  expenditure 
of  physical  force. 
Every  second  year 
Congress  is  in  ses¬ 
sion  usually  until 
about  the  middle 
of  July;  and  not 
infrequently  it  hap¬ 
pens  that,  by  rea¬ 
son  of  prolonged  or 
s  p  e  e  i  a  1  sessions, 
during  the  hottest 


No.  147.— Petite  cascades,  Vaux-le-Vieomte,  work  of  Lenotre. 


portion  of  the  sum¬ 
mer  the  city  is  filled  with  the  persons  whose  business  makes  necessary 
a  more  or  less  prolonged  stay  in  Washington.  Of  course  nothing 
can  be  done  to  change  weather  conditions,  but  very  much  can  be 


NO.  175.— FOUNTAIN  IN  FRONT  OF  VILLA  MEDICI,  ROME,  SUGGESTING  THE  PUBLIC  VALUE  OF  HILLTOPS  WISELY  TREATED. 


NO.  84.— FOUNTAIN,  BARBARINI  PALACE,  ROME. 


NO.  173.— FOUNTAIN,  PIAZZA  Dl  TERMINI,  ROME. 


NO.  63.— FOUNTAIN,  FARNESE  PALACE,  ROME. 


NO.  86.— FOUNTAIN,  PIAZZA  DEL  QUIRINALE,  ROME. 


•»«  *• 


NO.  105.— PALACE  AND  GARDEN  OF  THE  LUXEMBOURG,  PARIS.  A  PUBLIC  GARDEN  ENRICHED  BUT  NOT  CONFUSED. 


I 


NO.  78.— VERSAILLES— AVENUE  IN  THE  PARK,  SUGGESTING  THE  SHADED  WALKS  OF  THE  PROPOSED  MONUMENT  GROVE. 


NO.  79.— BASIN  OF  NEPTUNE,  VERSAILLES. 


NO.  101.— BASIN  OF  APOLLO,  VERSAILLES,  SHOWING  THE  TAPIS  VERT  WITH  ROAD  ON  EITHER  SIDE. 


GREAT  CANAL  BEYOND. 


NO.  100.— BASIN  AND  GREAT  CANAL,  FONTAINEBLEAU,  SUGGESTIVE  OF  THE  TREATMENT  OF  THE  CANALS  WEST  OF  THE 

MONUMENT. 


THE  NEED  OF  FOUNTAINS.  27 

accomplished  to  mitigate  the  physical  strain  caused  by  summer  heat. 
Singularly  enough,  up  to  the  present  time  the  abundant  facilities 
which  nature  affords  for  healthful  and  pleasant  recreation  during 
heated  terms  have  been  neglected,  and  in  this  respect  Washington  is 
far  behind  other  cities  whose  climatic  conditions  demand  much  less, 
and  whose  opportunities  also  are  less  favorable. 

In  Rome  throughout  the  centuries  it  has  been  the  pride  of  emperor 
and  of  pope  to  build  fountains  to  promote  health  and  give  pleasure. 
Mile  after  mile  of  aqueduct  has  been  constructed  to  gather  the  water 
even  from  remote 
hills,  a  n  d  b  r  i  n  g 
great  living  streams 
into  every  quarter 
of  the  city;  so  that 
from  the  moment  of 
entering  the  Eternal 
City  until  the  time 
of  departure  the  vis¬ 
itor  is  scarcely  out 
of  sight  of  beauti¬ 
ful  jets  of  water, 
now  Hung  upward 
in  great  columns  to  Fountain,  Vaux-le-Vicomte. 

add  life  and  dignity  even  to  St.  Peter’s,  or  again  gushing  in  the  form 
of  cascades  from  some  great  work  of  architect  or  sculptor,  or  still 
again  dripping  refreshingly  over  the  brim  of  a  beautiful  basin  that 
was  old  when  the  Christian  era  began.  The  Forum  is  in  ruins,  basili¬ 
cas  and  baths  have  been  transformed  into  churches,  palaces  have  been 
turned  into  museums;  but  the  fountains  of  Rome  are  eternal. 

If  all  the  fountains  of  Washington,  instead  of  being  left  lifeless  and 
inert  as  they  are  during  a  greater  portion  of  the  time,  should  be  set 
The  necessity  of  foun  Jplaying  at  their  full  capacity,  they  would  not  use  the 
talns-  amount  of  water  that  bursts  from  the  world-famous 

fountain  of  Trevi  or  splashes  on  the  stones  of  the  piazza  of  St.  Peter's. 
At  the  Chateau  de  Vaux-le-Vicomte,  near  Paris,  the  great  landscape 
architect  Lenotre  built  cascades,  canals,  and  fountains  using  one- 
twelfth  of  the  daily  water-supply  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  The 
fountains  at  Versailles  are  one  of  the  most  attractive  spectacles  enjoyed 
by  the  people  of  France. 


28 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


The  original  plans  of  Washington  show  the  high  appreciation  L’En- 
fant  had  for  all  forms  of  water  decoration;  and  when  the  heats  of  a 
Washington  summer  are  taken  into  consideration,  further  argument 
is  unnecessary  to  prove  that  the  first  and  greatest  step  in  the  matter 
of  beautifying  the  District  of  Columbia  is  such  an  increase  in  the 
water  supply  as  will  make  possible  the  copious  and  even  lavish  use  of 
water  in  fountains.1 

IV. 


Scarcely  secondary  in  importance  to  fountains  are  public  baths.  An 
Public  baths  and  instructive  lesson  in  this  respect  may  be  found  in 
gymnasiums.  the  experience  of  the  Metropolitan  Park  Commis¬ 

sion  in  taking  over  and  equipping  Revere  Beach,  immediately  north 
of  Boston.  There  the  squalid  conditions  prevailing  in  former  years 
have  been  changed  radically;  and  a  well-kept  and  well-policed  beach, 
sufficient  in  extent  to  accommodate  over  100,000  persons,  is  publicly 
maintained;  no  fewer  than  1,700  separate  rooms  are  provided  for 
bathers,  and  bathing  suits  are  furnished  at  a  small  expense.  The 
receipts  pay  for  maintenance  and  yield  a  surplus  of  several  thousand 
dollars  for  repairs  and  extensions. 

In  Washington  the  use  of  the  present  bathing  beach  shows  how 
welcome  would  be  the  construction  of  modern  buildings  with  ample 
facilities.  Moreover,  the  opportunities  offered  by  an  extended  river 
front  should  be  utilized  in  furnishing  opportunities  for  free  public 
baths,  especially  for  the  people  living  in  that  section  of  the  city 
between  the  Mall  and  the  Potomac. 


V. 


The  location  of  public  buildings  has  received  the  very  careful  con- 


The  location  of  public 


sideration  of  the  Commission.  In  general  terms 
buildings.  their  conclusions  are: 

First.  That  only  public  buildings  should  face  the  grounds  of  the 


Capitol. 

Second.  That  new  Department  buildings  may  well  be  located  so  as 
to  face  Lafayette  square. 


1  The  present  daily  consumption  of  water  in  the  District  of  Columbia  is  about 
62,000,000  gallons;  the  reservoirs  now  have  a  capacity  of  75,000,000  gallons;  and  the 
filtration  plant  will  have  a  capacity  equal  to  that  of  the  reservoirs.  The  Chief  of 
Engineers  estimates  that  even  if  the  work  of  increasing  the  supply  is  begun  imme¬ 
diately,  the  task  can  not  be  completed  before  the  demand  will  exceed  the  available 
supply. 


SENATE  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES-C.OMMITTEE  ON  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA 


WASHINGTON,  D.C. 


31 


DIAGRAM  OF  A  PORTION  OF  CITY  SHOWING 
PROPOSED  SITES  FOR  FUTURE 
PUBLIC  BUILDINGS 


f— 

in 

ST, 

E 

I 

o 

2000  FT 


ST. 


COMMISSION  ON  THE  IMPROVEMENT 
OF  THE  PARK  SYSTEM 

DANIEL  H.  EURNHAM,  CHICAGO 
CHARLES  F.  McKIM.  NEW  YORK 


AUGUSTUS  ST.  GAUDENS,  NEW  YORK 
FREDERICK  LAW  OLMSTED.  Jr.,  BROOKLINE 


N9  B-343 


THE  NORRIS  PETERS  CO  ,  PHOTO-L  ■  iO 


WASHINGTON 


PROPOSED  NEW  UNION  STATION. 


INTERIOR  VIEW  OF  THE  PROPOSED  NEW  UNION  STATION. 


A  UNION  RAILROAD  STATION, 


29 


Third.  Buildings  of  a  semi-public  character  may  be  located  south 
of  the  present  Corcoran  Art  Gallery,  fronting  on  the  White  Lot  and 
extending  to  the  park  limits. 

Fourth.  That  the  northern  side  of  the  Mall  may  properly  be  used 
by  museum  and  other  buildings  containing  collections  in  which  the 
public  generally  is  interested,  but  not  by  Department  buildings. 

bifth.  That  the  space  between  Pennsylvania  avenue  and  the  Mall 
should  be  occupied  by  the  District  building,  the  Hall  of  Records,  a 
modern  market,  an  armory  for  the  District  militia,  and  structures  of 
like  character. 

Che  location  of  public  buildings  is  discussed  in  several  portions  of 
the  report,  under  the  appropriate  subdivisions. 


VI. 


When  the  Commission  was  appointed  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Rail¬ 
way  was  entitled,  under  an  act  of  Congress  passed  on  February  12, 1901, 
a  union  railroad  to  condemn  and  occupy  a  site  for  a  depot  fronting  on 
C  street;  and  the  Pennsylvania  Railway,  under  an  act 
approved  at  the  same  time,  was  given  a  strip  of  land  about  four  hundred 
feet  wide  crossing  the  Mall.  The  Commission  found  almost  at  once 
that  unless  the  Pennsylvania  Railway  would  leave  the  Mall  and  build 
its  station  elsewhere  the  improvement  of  that  great  park  would  be 
impossible.  !No  one  had  any  serious  hope  that  the  Pennsylvania  Com¬ 
pany  would  withdraw.  However,  in  the  summer  of  1901  the  president 
of  that  company  consented  to  do  so,  provided  the  Government  would 
meet  the  company  in  a  spirit  which  would  enable  him  to  justify  the 
move  to  the  stockholders.  It  was  then  suggested  that  the  Pennsyl- 
vania  and  Baltimore  and  Ohio  companies  should  build  a  union  station 
at  the  site  on  C  street  granted  to  the  latter  by  Congress,  the  five  South¬ 
ern  roads  reaching  the  location  through  a  tunnel  under  Capitol  Hill 
But  after  careful  consideration  it  was  found  that  this  site  for  a  union 
station  was  not  adequate,  and  also  that  it  would  result  in  a  train  shed 
extending  over  Massachusetts  avenue;  and  therefore  the  Commission 
suggested  that  the  station  be  located  north  of  Massachusetts  avenue, 
the  center  of  the  building  being  on  the  axis  of  Delaware  avenue,  about 


a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  Capitol. 

This  location  has  been  accepted  by  the  Engineer  Commissioner,  the 
Park  Commission,  and  the  railway  companies,  the  latter  consenting  to 


30 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


make  the  moves  provided  the  Government  will  treat  them  in  a  reason¬ 
able  manner.  The  attitude  of  the  railways  has  been  public  spirited 
and  most  admirable  in  this  matter.  They  have  consented  to  g*ive  up 
a  location  eminently  tit  for  their  business,  and  for  no  other  purpose 
than  to  help  out  the  general  conditions  of  convenience  and  beauty  as 
laid  down  by  the  Park  Commission. 

In  front  of  the  union  station  the  Commission  proposed  a  public  plaza 
to  be  six  hundred  feet  in  width  by  twelve  hundred  feet  in  length, 
rark  commission’s  ornamented  with  fitting  terrace,  basins,  and  fountains, 
suggestions.  Facing  this  plaza,  and  a  hundred  feet  north  of  the 

line  of  Massachusetts  avenue  will  be  the  marble  fayade  of  the  station. 

This  great  station  forms  the 
grand  gateway  to  the  capital, 
through  which  every  one  who 
comes  to  or  goes  from  Wash¬ 
ington  must  pass;  as  there  is 
no  railroad  entering  the  city 
that  will  not  use  the  station,  it 
becomes  the  vestibule  of  the 
capital.  This  being  the  fact, 
the  importance  of  this  station 
is  greater  than  that  of  any 
other  one  in  an}"  city  in  the 
world.  If  there  were  several 
stations  in  the  city  each  might 
be  treated  as  a  railway  shed 
and  the  architectural  expres¬ 
sion  need  not  properly  be  of 
so  high  an  order.  But  not  so 
this  one.  The  three  great 
architectural  features  of  a  capital  city  being  the  halls  of  legislation, 
the  executive  buildings,  and  the  vestibule,  it  is  felt  by  the  railroad 
companies  that  the  style  of  this  building  should  be  equally  as  digni¬ 
fied  as  that  of  the  public  buildings  themselves.  Therefore  it  is  that 
the  design  goes  back  to  pure  Roman  motives,  the  central  portion 
being  derived  directly  from  the  triumphal  arch  of  Constantine  and 
the  wings  being  brought  into  subordination  to  it. 

The  central  part,  the  vestibule  of  the  station,  is  two  hundred  and 
ninety -three  feet  wide,  containing  three  arches,  each  opening  being 


seven  hundred  and  sixty  feet  long. 


No.  149.— Fountain,  Vaux-le-Vicomte. 


MONUMENTAL  DESIGN. 


31 


about  thirty  by  sixty  feet;  with  end  pavilions  for  foot  passengers. 

The  waiting  room  will  be  one  hundred  and  thirty  bv 

Monumental  design.  *  J 

two  hundred  and  fifty  feet,  its  walls  of  masonry  and  its 


arched  ceiling  of  g'lass  and  iron.  The  usual  rooms  of  a  grand  station 
are  added.  Behind  the  head  house  is  a  lobby  eighty  by  five  hundred 


and  fifty  feet,  and  an  open  space  next  the  tracks  runs  beside  this 
lobby,  this  space  being  forty  feet  in  width.  The  lobby  opens  out  upon 
the  side  streets  and  is  perfectly  accessible  to  the  waiting  rooms 


.The  design  of  this  station  is  intended  to  be  monumental  in  every 
respect  and  to  be  in  keeping  with  the  dignity  of  the  chief  city  of 
America  and  with  its  present  and  future  beauty. 


No.  196. — On  the  Pincian  Hill,  Rome. 


I 


THE  MALL  SYSTEM. 


8.  Rep  16(>- 


33 


Analostan  Island. 


Lincoln  Memorial. 


Executive  group. 


Legislative  group. 


Memorial  Bridge. 


Monument  Garden. 
Washington  Common. 


Union  Square. 


NO.  19.— GENERAL  PLAN  OF  THE  MALL  SYSTEM. 


A — Capitol  Division. 
B— The  Mall. 

C — Monument  Section. 
D — Lincoln  Division. 


KEY  TO  THE  MALL  SYSTEM. 

E — White  House  Division. 

F— Washington  Common 
GG— Park  Spaces. 

H— Section  south  of  Pennsylvania  avenue 
K — Memorial  Bridge. 


THE  MALL  SYSTEM. 


THE  City  of  Washington,  during  the  century  since  its  founda¬ 
tion.  has  been  developed  in  the  main  according  to  the  plan 
made  in  1791  by  Major  Peter  Charles  L’Enfant  and  approved 
by  President  Washington.  That  plan  the  Commission  has  aimed  to 
restore,  develop,  and  supplement. 

The  “Congress  house"  and  the  “President’s  palace, ’’  as  he  termed 
them,  were  the  cardinal  features  of  L’Enfant’s  plan;  and  these  edifices 
he  connected  “by  a  grand  avenue  four  hundred  feet  in  breadth,  and 
about  a  mile  in  length,  bordered  by  gardens,  ending  in  a  slope  from 
the  houses  on  each  side."  At  the  point  of  intersection  of  two  lines, 
one  drawn  through  the  center  of  the  Capitol  the  other  drawn  through 
the  center  of  the  White  House,  L’Enfant  fixed  the  site  of  an  eques¬ 


trian  statue  of  General  Washington,  one  of  the  numerous  statues  voted 
by  the  Continental  Congress  but  never  erected. 

When,  in  181:8,  the  people  began  to  build  the  \\  asbington  Monument, 
the  engineers  despaired  of  securing  on  the  proper  site  a  foundation  suf¬ 
ficient  for  so  great  a  structure;  and  consequently  the  Monument  was 

35 


36 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


located  out  of  all  relations  with  the  buildings  which  it  was  intended  to 
tie  together  in  a  single  composition.  To  create  these  relations  as 
originally  planned  was  one  of  the  chief  problems  of  the  Commission. 

Again,  the  reclamation  of  the  Potomac  Flats,  prosecuted  since  1882, 
has  added  to  the  Monument  grounds  an  area  about  one  mile  in  le  ngth 
from  east  to  west;  so  that  where  L’Enfant  dealt  with  a  composition 
one  and  a  half  miles  in  length,  the  Commission  is  called  upon  to 
deal  with  an  area  two  and  a  half  miles  long,  with  a  maximum  breadth 
of  about  one  mile. 

By  the  inclusion  of  the  space  between  Pennsylvania  and  New  York 
avenues  on  the  north,  and  Maryland  avenue  and  the  Potomac  River  on 
the  south,  the  new  composition  becomes  a  symmetrical,  polygonal,  or 
kite-shaped,  figure  bisected  from  east  to  west  by  the  axis  of  the  Capitol 
and  from  north  to  south  by  the  White  House  axis.  Regarding  the 
Monument  as  the  center,  the  Capitol  as  the  base,  and  the  White  House 
as  the  extremity  of  one  arm  of  a  Latin  cross,  we  have  at  the  head  of 
the  composition  on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac  a  memorial  site  of  the 
greatest  possible  dignity,  with  a  second  and  only  less  commanding  site 
at  the  extremity  of  the  second  arm. 

So  extensive  a  composition,  and  one  containing  such  important  ele¬ 
ments,  does  not  exist  elsewhere;  and  it  is  essential  that  the  plan  for  its 
treatment  shall  combine  simplicity  with  dignity. 


NO.  36.— VIEW  OF  THE  CAPITOL,  AS  SEEN  FROM  THE  MALL. 


NO.  24.— SECTION  THROUGH  CAPITOL,  EAST  AND  WEST. 


NO.  39.— VIEW  SHOWING  PROPOSED  TREATMENT  OF  BASIN,  TERRACES,  AND  CAPITOL  APPROACHES,  HEAD  OF  MALL. 


rir.fJJJJ 


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BBu  —LLLl.IILf.i.,. 


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NO.  23.— THE  CAPITOL,  WEST  ELEVATION,  SHOWING  PROPOSED  TERRACE,  RESTORATION  OF  THE  BULFINCH  GATES  AND  BOUNDARY  FENCE,  FOUNTAINS  AND  APPROACHES. 


No.  22. — Plan  of  the  Capitol  Grounds  by  L’Enfant  (1791). 


THE  CAPITOL  DIVISION. 


The  Capitol,  located  by  Washington  and  L’Enfant  on  a  site 
which  seemed  to  the  latter  as  ‘ka  pedestal  waiting  for  a  monu¬ 
ment.’'  was  constructed  in  accordance  with  plans  prepared  by 
I  horn  ton  and  selected  by  the  first  President  and  his  Secretary  of 
State,  because  among  the  number  of  designs  submitted  Thornton’s 
alone  displayed  the  dignified  simplicity  which  should  characterize  the 
legislative  halls  of  a  nation.  Under  the  personal  direction  of  Presi¬ 
dent  Fillmore,  the  Capitol  was  extended  bv  the  addi- 

The  Capitol. 

tion  of  the  Senate  and  the  House  wings,  and  the 
edifice  was  surmounted  by  a  soaring  dome,  all  designed  by  Thomas 
U.  Walter.1  Distinguished  alike  for  its  historic  associations  and  for 
its  architectural  merits,  the  Capitol  stands  in  the  midst  of  ample 
grounds,  indeed,  but  is  surrounded  in  the  main  by  private  build¬ 
ings,  many  of  them  of  the  most  squalid  character,  or  by  neglected 
stretches  of  land  used  as  dumping  grounds.  From  the  Mall  system 
the  grounds  are  cut  off  by  the  Botanic  Garden,  walled  and  fenced 
so  as  to  block  the  way. 


37 


1  History  of  the  United  States  Capitol,  by  Glenn  Brown. 


38 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


Facing  the  Capitol  grounds  on  the  east  stands  the  Congressional 
Library;  and  it  is  contemplated  that  at  no  distant  day  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States  shall  be  accommodated  in  a  building  con¬ 
structed  for  the  exclusive  use  of  that  tribunal,  on  the  square  directly 
north  of  the  Library;1  and  that  the  Senate  and  the  House  of  Repre¬ 
sentatives  will  have  constructed  for  the  uses  of  their  members  build¬ 
ings  respectively  on  the  north  and  on  the  south  of  the  grounds  of  the 
Capitol.2 

The  construction  of  the  above-mentioned  buildings  as  planned  will 
make  it  in  the  highest  degree  appropriate  that  fronting  the  entire  square 


No.  22a.— Plan  of  the  Capitol  Grounds  by  Thornton,  Architect  of  the  Capitol  (1803). 

occupied  by  the  Capitol  grounds  only  public  buildings  bearing  a 
common  relation  to  legislative  work  shall  be  erected.  If  the  recip¬ 
rocal  relations  of  the  new  buildings  shall  be  studied  carefully,  so  as 

1  Bills  contemplating  such  a  building  are  regularly  introduced  in  Congress.  See 
S.  4113,  Fifty-seventh  Congress. 

2  The  sundry  civil  act  of  March  3,  1901,  authorizes  the  preparation  of  plans  for  a 
structure  to  be  erected  “adjacent  to  the  grounds  of  the  Capitol  building.”  Esti¬ 
mates  have  been  prepared  for  the  purchase  of  the  lands  on  the  south  side  of  the 
Capitol  grounds. 


INVASIONS  OF  THE  l’eNFANT  PLAN. 


39 


to  produce  harmony  of  design  and  uniformity  of  cornice  line,  the 
resulting  architectural  composition  will  be  unequaled  in  magnitude 
and  monumental  character  by  any  similar  group  of  legislative  build¬ 
ings  in  the  modern  world. 

The  successful  development  of  this  proposed  series  of  buildings 
inclosing  the  Capitol  square  is  to  be  assured  only  by  strict  adherence  to 
Invasions  of  the  that  system  of  radial  avenues  laid  down  by  Washington 
l  Enfant  plan.  and  L’Enfant,  upon  which  the  Capitol  depends  for  its 
dominating  character.  Any  invasion  of  these  historic  arteries  repre¬ 
senting  the  original  States  and  centering  upon  the  Dome  must  be  fatal, 


No.  38. — Bulfinch  Gatehouse,  formerly  on  Capitol  Grounds. 


because  inconsistent  with  the  fundamental  principles  upon  which  the 
city  is  built.  The  location  of  the  Library  of  Congress  partly  in  Penn¬ 
sylvania  avenue  is  a  perpetual  mutilation  of  L’Enf  ant’s  plan,  and 
indicts  incalculable  injury  to  the  Capitol,  which  the  Library  in  part 
conceals.  Other  similar  instances  are  the  extension  of  the  Treasury 
and  the  construction  of  the  State,  War,  and  Navy  buildings  so  as  to 
close  forever  carefully  planned  vistas  of  the  White  House.  These 


40 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


discordant  notes  should  warn  future  generations  that  sites  for  public 
buildings  are  dearly  purchased  at  the  cost  of  those  essential  elements 
which  give  to  Washington  its  unique  advantage  over  all  other  Ameri¬ 
can  cities. 


In  1803  Thornton  marked  the  boundaries  of  the  Capitol  grounds  to 
Treatment  of  the  correspond  with  the  rectilinear  system  of  streets,  and 
tapitoi  grounds.  these  lines  were  maintained  until  the  latest  addition 
to  the  grounds  brought  about  innovations,  resulting  in  various  curved 
projections,  especially  on  the  western  side.  This  complication  of  the 
early  plans  banished  the  Bulfinch  gates  and  fence  which  so  strongly 
emphasized  the  frontage  of  sixteen  hundred  feet  that  corresponds  to 
the  width  of  the  Mall.  The  recovery  of  this  original  feature  of  the 
Capitol  design,  supplemented  by  the  construction  of  a  central  terrace 
one  thousand  feet  in  width,  will  give  the  broadest  possible  support 
to  the  Capitol,  which,  resting  upon  this  base  as  on  a  plinth,  will  gain 
an  additional  height  of  forty  feet. 

The  western  slope  of  the  Capitol  grounds  should  be  relieved  and 
enriched  by  basins  and  fountains  in  which  the  water,  falling  from 
one  level  to  another,  is  poured  finally  into  a  great  central  pool  at 
the  level  of  First  street.  So  L’Enfant  intended  in  his  plan  for  “a 
grand  cascade  formed  of  water  from  the  sources  of  the  Tiber,” 
which  was  to  mitigate  the  heat  of  the  sun-baked  hill. 

Several  of  the  great  radial  avenues  extending  from  the  Capitol 
and  the  White  House  climb  the  hills  encircling  the  city,  and  on  the 
crests  of  these  hills  superb  sites  are  found  for  shining 
memorials  standing  out  against  the  sky.  Often  these 
vistas  terminate  on  some  far-off  hill,  where  a  simple  white  shelter 
will  prove  the  most  effective  treatment.  In  other  instances  the  hill 
crests  are  in  the  midst  of  a  populous  region,  and  in  these  cases  the 
treatment  should  be  on  a  more  comprehensive  scale.  For  example, 
at  the  head  of  North  Capitol  street  a  monumental  entrance  to  the 
Soldiers'  Home  should  be  built;  and  the  sharp  rise  of  Sixteenth  street 
should  carry  an  imposing  arch,  such  as  the  one  projected  as  a 
memorial  to  William  McKinley. 


The  radial  avenues. 


NO.  37.— VIEW  SHOWING  THE  PROPOSED  TREATMENT  OF  UNION  SQUARE 


MALL. 


[  1 1 

"illn 

UNION  SQUARE. 


ON  the  western  side  of  the  Capitol  grounds,  where  Pennsylvania 
and  Maryland  avenues  converge,  the  L’Enfant  plan  shows 
aa  public  walk,  through  which  carriages  may  ascend  to  the 
upper  square  of  the  Federal  house."  Having  restored  the  true  north 
and  south  line  of  the  Capitol  grounds,  it  is  proposed  to  treat  the 
space  now  occupied  by  the  Botanic  Garden  as  a  broad  thoroughfare, 
so  enriched  with  parterres  of  green  as  to  form  an  organic  connection 
between  the  Capitol  and  the  Mall. 

The  exceptional  opportunities  for  monumental  treatment  offered  by 
the  commanding  location  of  this  area  leads  the  Commission  to  suggest 
that  the  Grant  memorial  already  provided  for  shall  be  the  chief  deco¬ 
oration  of  the  square;  and  that  associated  with  the  Grant  monument 
shall  be  the  figures  of  his  two  great  lieutenants,  Sherman  and  Sheri¬ 
dan,  standing  independently,  yet  so  as  to  form  a  single  composition.1 

1  The  location  now  fixed  for  the  Sherman  statue  is  directly  south  of  the  Treasury 
Department,  where  a  granite  pedestal  has  been  constructed.  This  location  suggests 
Secretary  Sherman  rather  than  General  Sherman.  A  location  for  the  Grant  memo¬ 
rial  was  selected  tentatively  before  the  Park  Commission  made  its  report;  and  the 
competitors  made  designs  for  a  site  either  south  of  the  White  House  or  south  of  the 
State,  War,  and  Navy  building.  The  commission  on  the  Grant  memorial  (made  up 
of  Gen.  Grenville  M.  Dodge,  president  of  the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee, 
chairman;  Senator  George  Peabody  Wetmore,  chairman  of  the  Joint  Committee  on 
the  Library;  and  Hon.  Elihu  Root,  Secretary  of  War)  appointed  as  a  committee  to 
judge  the  relative  merits  of  the  models  submitted  in  the  competition,  Lieut.  Gen.  J.  M. 
Schofield,  Maj.  Gen.  Wesley  M.  Merritt,  Daniel  H.  Burnham,  Charles  F.  McKim, 
Augustus  Saint  Gaudens,  and  Daniel  Chester  French.  This  committee  reported,  on 
April  12,  1902,  that  it  had  selected  unanimously  the  models  of  the  following 
persons:  Henry  Merwin  Shrady,  Charles  Henry  Niehaus  (associated  with  Henry 
Bacon,  architect),  J.  Massey  Rhind  (with  Bright  &  Bacon,  architects),  Charles  A. 
Lopez  and  F.  G.  R.  Roth  (with  Henry  Hornbostel,  architect),  Waldo  Story,  and 
Burr  C.  Miller.  Of  the  six  the  committee  found  the  design  submitted  by  Mr. 
Shrady  the  first  in  intrinsic  merit  and  best  adapted  to  the  site  indicated,  on  the  axis 

41 


42 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


The  placing1  of  the  defenders  of  the  Union  at  this  great  point  of 
convergence  doubly  justifies  the  name  of  “Union  Square.” 

Brilliantly  illuminated,  embellished  with  fountains,  and  commanded 
by  terraces,  this  square  would  compare  favorably,  in  both  extent  and 
treatment,  with  the  Place  de  la  Concorde  in  Paris. 

of  the  White  House.  They  found  the  design  submitted  by  Niehaus  and  Bacon 
second  in  intrinsic  merit,  and  perfectly  adapted  to  either  site.  They  made  further 
recommendations  as  follows:  “The  committee  thinks  it  desirable,  nothwithstanding 
the  brilliant  character  of  Mr.  Shrady’s  composition,  to  be  assured  of  his  powers  to 
execute  a  figure  of  Grant  with  the  nobility  and  reserve  power  that  it  should  possess. 
On  the  other  hand,  the  qualities  of  Mr.  Niehaus’s  work  were  of  such  high  order  and 
were  so  close  in  merit  to  those  of  Mr.  Shrady’s  that  the  committee  feels  it  would  be 
unfair  to  Mr.  Niehaus  to  reject  his  work  without  another  trial. 

“  Furthermore,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  since  the  competition  for  the  Grant  monu¬ 
ment  was  instituted  the  proposition  to  place  three  equestrian  statues  together  at  the 
head  of  the  Mall,  in  the  center  of  Union  Square,  has  been  urged  in  the  plan  of  the 
Park  Commission,  and  also  in  view'  of  the  possibility  of  this  equestrian  figure  of 
Grant  becoming  the  central  feature  of  this  portion  of  the  plan  of  the  Park  Commis¬ 
sion,  the  committee  begs  to  suggest  that,  before  finally  making  the  award  Messrs. 
Shrady  and  Niehaus  be  requested  to  execute  another  model  of  about  four  feet  in 
height  for  the  equestrian  group  of  General  Grant.  As  this  enlarged  model  would 
involve  a  very  serious  expense  to  the  sculptors,  the  committee  suggests  that  an 
appropriate  sum  of  money  be  offered  in  remuneration  to  the  unsuccessful  competitor. 

“Although  outside  of  the  instructions  of  your  commission  to  this  committee  the 
committee  begs  leave  to  suggests  that,  while  the  central  site,  namely,  the  White  Lot, 
is  wrell  adapted  for  the  purpose  of  a  monument  to  General  Grant,  the  placing  of  any 
kind  of  a  monument  in  the  White  Lot  circle  is  extremely  objectionable  from  an 
artistic  standpoint  and  is  an  encroachment  upon  historic  ground. 

“The  four  corners  of  the  White  Lot  square  are  deemed  highly  appropriate  places 
for  subordinate  military  monuments,  but  neither  one  is  suited  in  dignity  for  a  site 
for  a  monument  to  General  Grant.” 

The  report  of  the  committee  was  adopted  at  the  judgment  of  the  commission.  The 
following  resolution  was  adopted  as  the  sense  of  the  commission: 

“ Resolved ,  That  in  pursuance  of  the  recommendation  of  the  advisory  committee, 
Messrs.  Shrady  and  Niehaus  be  requested  each  to  execute  another  model  of  four  feet 
in  height  for  the  equestrian  group  of  General  Grant,  in  order  to  enable  the  commis¬ 
sion  to  make  final  selection  between  the  designs  submitted  by  those  gentlemen. 

Further  resolved,  That  $750  be  paid  to  each  of  them  upon  the  completion  and  sub¬ 


mission  of  said  models.” 


NO.  56.— VIEW  OF  THE  MALL  FROM  SIXTH  STREET. 


THE  MALL. 


HAVING  considered  the  Capitol  grounds  and  the  areas  related 
thereto  we  come  now  to  that  long  stretch  of  territory 
designed  to  furnish  the  park-like  means  of  communication 
between  the  legislative  and  the  executive  departments.  It  is  interest¬ 
ing  to  note  that  although  this  space  has  been  cut  into  pieces, 
some  of  which  have  been  highly  developed  according  to  the  land¬ 
scape  art  of  the  day,  as  for  example  the  grounds  of  the  Smith¬ 
sonian  Institution  and  the  Agriculture  Department,  and  while  other 
portions  have  been  diverted  from  their  original  purposes,  as  in  the 
case  of  the  sections  given  up  to  the  Botanic  Garden  and  the  Balti¬ 
more  and  Potomac  Railroad,  still  the  L’Enfant  idea  of  treating  the 
entire  space  as  a  unit  has  never  been  entirely  lost  sight  of.  Indeed, 
during  the  very  months  of  1871,  when  the  right  of  way  across  the 
Mall  was  bestowed  upon  a  railroad,  one  branch  of  Congress  agreed 
to  a  proposition  to  combine  the  scattered  areas  into  a  single  park, 
but  was  deterred  from  so  doing  largely  by  the  objection  that  such 
treatment  would  divide  Washington  into  two  parts.1 

The  gradual  development  of  the  city^  and  its  growth  toward  the 
north,  together  with  the  location  in  the  Mall  of  public  buildings  for 
scientific  purposes,  have  resulted  in  a  steady  improvement  in  the 
character  of  the  Mall,  which  during  the  past  thirty  years  has  been 
changed  from  a  common  pasture  into  a  series  of  park  spaces 
unequally  developed,  indeed,  and  in  places  broken  in  upon  by  being 
put  to  commercial  or  other  extraneous  uses,  but  nevertheless  becom¬ 
ing  more  and  more  appreciated  from  year  to  year.  With  this  gradual 
improvement  has  sprung  up  a  general  desire  that  the  L’Enfant  plans 
be  reverted  to,  and  that  the  entire  space  south  of  Pennsylvania  avenue 
be  set  apart  solely  for  public  purposes. 

In  order  to  realize  this  natural  and  most  laudable  desire,  two  things 
are  essential:  First,  the  railroad  must  be  removed  from  the  Mall,  and. 


'See  editorials  and  articles  in  the  Washington  Star  during  February  and  March, 


1871. 


43 


44 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


secondly,  axial  relations  must  be  established  between  the  Capitol,  the 
Monument,  and  the  White  House.  Happily,  as  has  been  explained 
elsewhere  in  these  reports,  the  opportunity  is  presented  to  Congress 
to  secure  not  only  the  exclusion  of  the  railroad,  but  also  the  construc¬ 
tion  of  a  union  station,  a  consummation  which,  long  agitated,  has 
heretofore  seemed  beyond  the  possibility  of  accomplishment. 

Fortunately,  also,  the  location  of  the  Monument  does  not  preclude 
the  establishment  of  such  relations  as  will  bring  that 

Axial  relationship.  .  .  .  .  ,  . 

structure  into  organic  connection  with  the  monu¬ 
mental  buildings  above  mentioned,  so  that  Capitol,  White  House, 
and  Monument  shall  become  constituent  parts  of  one  composition. 
The  plan  of  the  Commission  contemplates  the  extension  of  B  street 
northeastward  to  Pennsylvania  avenue,  whence  it  continues  on  the 
north  side  of  the  Capitol  grounds,  thus  securing  for  the  Mall  a  uni¬ 
form  width  of  sixteen  hundred  feet  throughout  its  entire  extent. 
Within  these  boundaries  it  becomes  possible  to  develop  the  Mall  area 
in  accordance  with  the  general  distribution  of  the  L’Enfant  plan,  with 
such  enlargements  as  the  conditions  of  to-day  have  made  possible  and 
desirable. 

Thus  areas  adjoining  B  street  north  and  south,  averaging  more  than 
four  hundred  feet  in  width  from  the  Capitol  to  the  Monument,  afford 

.  ,  spacious  sites  for  buildings  devoted  to  scientific  pur¬ 
sues  for  certain  1  0  A 

imiidimrs.  poses  and  for  the  great  museums.  The  structure  to  be 

erected  for  the  Department  of  Agriculture  on  the  site  of  the  present 
building  marks  at  once  the  building  line  and  the  type  of  architecture 
which  should  be  adopted  throughout  the  Mall  system;  while  the  build- 

ino-s  of  the  National  Museum  and  the  Fisheries  Commission  building, 

© 

both  of  which  are  inadequate  and  unsuited  for  their  respective  purposes, 
serve  to  show  the  class  of  the  service  that  may  well  be  accommodated 
with  new  structures  located  within  a  park  area.1 

The  axis  of  the  Capitol  and  Monument  is  clearly  defined  by  an 
expanse  of  undulating  green  a  mile  and  a  half  long  and  three  hundred 

feet  broad,  walled  on  either  side  by  elms,  planted 
in  formal  procession  four  abreast.  Bordering  this 
green  carpet,  roads,  park-like  in  character,  stretch  between  Capitol 

!  The  sundry  civil  act  as  reported  to  the  Senate  in  April,  1902,  contains  a  provision 
for  plans  for  a  new  building  for  the  National  Museum,  to  cost  $2,000,000.  It  is 
expected  that  the  entire  building,  or  group  of  buildings,  will  cost  not  less  than 
$4,000,000. 


NO.  59.— VIEW  OF  THE  MONUMENT  SEEN  FROM  THE  MALL  AT  FOURTEENTH  STREET.  LOOKING  WEST. 


NO.  186.— AVENUE  DE  BEAUMONT,  COMPIEGNE.  THE  TYPE  OF  VISTA  WITHOUT  A  ROADWAY. 


AVENUE  AT  CIRENCESTER,  ENGLAND.  A  MALL  DIVIDED  BY  A  CENTRAL  ROADWAY. 


THE  MALL. 


45 


and  Monument,  while  beneath  the  elms  one  may  walk  or  drive,  pro¬ 
tected  from  the  sun.  Examples  of  this  treatment  abound  in  England 
and  on  the  Continent  of  Europe,  and  also  may  be  found  in  our  own 
country  in  those  towns,  both  North  and  South,  which  were  laid  out 
during  the  colonial  era.1  Moreover,  these  two  plantations  of  elms 
traversed  bypaths  are  similar  in  character  to  the  Mall  in  Central  Park, 
New  York,  which  is  justly  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
features  of  that  park. 

The  American  elm  was  chosen  not  only  because  of  the  architectural 
character  of  its  columnar  trunk  and  the  delicate  traceries  formed  by 
its  widespreading  branches,  but  also  because  in  the  District  of  Colum¬ 
bia  this  tree  is  at  its  best,  notable  examples  being  found  in  the  city 
parks  and  in  the  grounds  of  the  Capitol. 

The  streets  leading  southward  from  Pennsylvania  avenue  are  to  cross 
the  Mall  at  their  present  grades,  no  attempt  being  made  either  to 
exclude  street  car  and  other  traffic  or  to  hide  it.  Indeed,  the  play  of 
light  and  shade  where  the  streets  break  through  the  columns  of  trees, 
and  the  passage  of  street  cars  and  teams  give  needed  life  to  the  Mall, 
while  at  the  same  time  those  persons  most  interested  in  the  area  main¬ 
tained  as  a  park  will  obtain  the  full  enjoyment  from  it.  As  the  Garden 
of  the  Tuilleries,  besides  performing  its  artistic  function  of  uniting  the 
palaces  of  the  Louvre  with  the  Arc  de  Triomphe,  furnishes  a  pleasing 
passageway  for  tens  of  thousands  of  persons  who  cross  it  going  to  and 
from  their  work,  so  the  Mall  will  afford  variety  and  refreshment  to 
those  going'  and  coming  between  the  “Island  and  the  other  sections 
of  the  city. 

By  extending  Ninth  street  through  the  Mall,  an  opportunity  occurs 
to  emphasize  these  very  necessary  north  and  south  connections,  and  at 
the  same  time  to  relieve  from  monotony  the  meadow- 
like  stretch  a  mile  and  a  half  long.  The  entire  space 
between  Seventh  and  Ninth  streets  should  be  treated  in  a  manner 
similar  to  the  proposed  Union  Square  in  front  of  the  Capitol,  with 
parterres  of  green  and  large  basins  of  water,  with  frequent  seats 
tempting  the  passer-by  to  linger  for  rest. 


A  cross  axis. 


1  In  France  Versailles,  Fontainebleau,  Compiegne,  Vaux-le-Vicomte;  in  Austria 
the  royal  palace  of  Schonbrunn,  near  Vienna;  in  England  Bushy  Park,  At  indsor 
Great  Park,  and  Hatfield  House;  in  America  Old  Hadley  in  Massachusetts  and 
Williamsburg  in  Virginia  are  noteworthy  instances. 


NO.  195.— WASHINGTON,  LOOKING  SOUTH  FROM  THE  WHITE  HOUSE. 


A  SETTING  FOR  THE  WASHINGTON  MONUMENT. 


S.  Rep.  160- 


NO.  27. — SECTION  THROUGH  MONUMENT  GARDEN,  ON  CAPITOL  AXIS,  LOOKING  NORTH  TOWARD  THE  WHITE  HOUSE. 


NO.  28— SECTION  THROUGH  MALL  AT  FIFTEENTH  STREET,  LOOKING  WEST,  SHOWING  MONUMENT  APPROACHES  AND  TERRACES. 


NO.  29. — SECTION  THROUGH  CANAL,  LOOKING  EAST,  ON  WHITE  HOUSE  AXIS,  SHOWING  PROPOSED  TREATMENT  OF  APPROACHES  AND  TERRACES,  FORMING 

A  SETTING  FOR  THE  MONUMENT. 


No.  61a.— Model  of  the  Monument  Garden. 


THE  WASHINGTON  MONUMENT  DIVISION. 


FROM  this  cross  axis  the  carpet  of  greensward  of  the  Mall 
stretches  westward.  The  bordering  columns  of  elms  march  to 
the  Monument  grounds,  climb  the  slope,  and,  spreading  them¬ 
selves  to  right  and  left  on  extended  terraces,  form  a  great  body  of 
green,  strengthening  the  broad  platform  from  which  the  obelisk  rises 
in  majestic  serenity.  The  groves  on  the  terraces  become  places  of 
rest,  from  which  one  gets  wide  views  of  the  busy  city;  of  the  White 
House,  surrounded  by  its  ample  grounds;  of  the  Capitol,  crowning 
the  heights  at  the  end  of  the  broad  vista;  of  sunny  stretches  of  river 
winding  at  the  foot  of  the  Virginia  hills. 

Axial  relations  between  the  White  House  and  the  Monument  are 
created  bv  the  construction  of  a  sunken  garden  on  the  western  side  of 
the  great  shaft,  the  true  line  passing  through  the 

A  sunken  garden.  . 

center  of  a  great  round  pool,  to  which  marble  steps 
three  hundred  feet  in  width  lead  down  forty  feet  from  the  Monu¬ 
ment  platform.  Surrounded  by  terraces  bearing  elms,  laid  out  with 
formal  paths  lined  by  hedges  and  adorned  with  small  trees,  enriched 
by  fountains  and  temple-like  structures,  this  garden  becomes  the  gem 
of  the  Mall  system.  Seen  from  the  lower  level,  the  Monument 
gains  an  additional  height  of  nearly  forty-five  feet,  while  at  the 
same  time  nothing  is  suffered  to  come  so  near  as  to  disturb  the  isola¬ 
tion  which  the  Monument  demands. 


47 


48 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


At  present  the  immediate  surroundings  of  the  Monument  are  so  inad¬ 
equate  as  to  cause  the  beholder  near  at  hand  to  lose  that  very  sense  of 


No.  25. — Plan  showing  proposed  treatment  of  the  Monument  Garden. 

grandeur  which  it  inspires  when  seen  from  a  distance;  and  the  lack  of 
harmonious  relationship  between  it  and  the  great  structures  with  which 
it  comes  into  juxtaposition  disturbs  one’s  sense  of  fitness.  No  portion 
of  the  task  set  before  the  Commission  has  required  more  study  and 
extended  consideration  than  has  the  solution  of  the  problem  of  devis¬ 
ing  an  appropriate  setting  for  the  Monument;  and  the  treatment  here 
proposed  is  the  one  which  seems  best  adapted  to  enhance  the  value  of 
the  Monument  itself.  Taken  by  itself,  the  Washington  Monument 
stands  not  only  as  one  of  the  most  stupendous  works  of  man.  but  also 
as  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  human  creations.  Indeed,  it  is  at  once 
so  great  and  so  simple  that  it  seems  to  be  almost  a  work  of  nature. 
Dominating  the  entire  District  of  Columbia,  it  has  taken  its  place  with 
the  Capitol  and  the  \\  hite  House  as  one  of  the  three  foremost  national 
structures. 


NO.  58.— GENERAL  VIEW  OF  THE  MONUMENT  GARDEN  AND  MALL,  LOOKING  TOWARD  THE  CAPITOL. 


NO.  40.— VIEW  OF  THE  MONUMENT  AND  TERRACES  FROM  THE  WHITE  HOUSE. 


1 


THE  MONUMENT  GARDEN,  MAIN  AXIS,  SHOWING  PROPOSED  TREATMENT  OF  APPROACHES  AND  TERRACES  FORMING 


A  SETTING  FOR  THE  WASHINGTON  MONUMENT.  LOOKING  EAST. 


NO.  45.— VIEW  FROM  THE  MONUMENT  TERRACE,  LOOKING  TOWARD  ARLINGTON. 


A  SETTING  FOR  THE  WASHINGTON  MONUMENT. 


NO.  47.— VIEW  OF  THE  TERRACE  AND  MONUMENT  GARDEN,  LOOKING  EAST. 


S.  Rep.  166 - 8 


NO.  48.— VIEW  IN  THE  MONUMENT  GARDEN,  LOOKING  TOWARD  THE  WHITE  HOUSE. 


NO.  53— VIEW  OF  THE  PROPOSED  MEMORIAL  STRUCTURE  ON  THE  AXIS  OF  THE  WHITE  HOUSE,  LOOKING  SOUTH. 


ATHLETIC  BUILDINGS. 


No.  -13. — One  of  six  pavilions  in  the  Monument  Garden. 


THE  WASHINGTON  COMMON. 


r  \  AAKING  the  Monument  garden  as  a  center,  one  looks  north - 
:  ward  over  the  White  Lot,  which  is  retained  as  the  great  drill 

grounds  of  the  District.  On  the  east  and  on  the  west,  along 
Fifteenth  and  Seventeenth  streets,  walks  shaded  by  four  rows  of 
lindens  tempt  one  from  the  hot  and  busy  streets  of  the  city  to  the 
cool  and  quiet  of  the  gardens  or  to  the  held  of  sports  beyond. 

The  space  south  of  the  Monument  is  to  be  devoted  to  the  people  as 
a  place  of  recreation — the  Washington  Common  it  might  be  called. 
Here  should  be  constructed  a  great  stadium  arranged  for  athletic  con¬ 
tests  of  all  kinds  and  for  the  display  of  fireworks  on  festal  occasions. 
Fall  grounds  and  tennis  courts,  open-air  gymnasiums  for  youths,  and 
sand  piles  and  swings  for  children,  all  should  be  provided,  as  they  are 
now  furnished  in  the  progressive  cities  of  this  country.  The  tidal 
basin  should  have  the  most  ample  facilities  for  boating  and  for  wad¬ 
ing  and  swimming  in  summer,  as  well  as  for  skating  in  winter.  To 

49 


50 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


this  end  boat  pavilions,  locker  houses,  and  extensive  bath  houses  should 
be  constructed  with  all  the  conveniences  known  to  the  best-equipped 
institutions  of  like  character.  The  positive  dearth  of  means  of  innocent 
enjoyment  for  one’s  leisure  hours  is  remarkable  in  Washington,  the 
one  city  in  this  country  where  people  have  the  most  leisure. 

Where  the  axis  of  the  White  House  intersects  the  axis  of  Maryland 
avenue  a  site  is  found  for  a  great  memorial.  Whether  this  memorial 
shall  take  the  form  of  a  Pantheon,  in  which  shall  be  grouped  the 
statues  of  the  illustrious  men  of  the  nation,  or  whether  the  memory 
of  some  individual  shall  be  honored  by  a  monument  of  the  first  rank 
may  be  left  to  the  future;  at  least  the  site  will  be  ready. 


No.  46.— View  of  Terrace  from  base  of  Monument. 


V 


NO.  52.— VIEW  SHOWING  THE  PROPOSED  DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  SITE  FOR  THE  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL,  SEEN  FROM  THE  WASHINGTON  MONUMENT. 


NO.  51.— VIEW  OF  THE  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL  SITE  FROM  THE  OLD  NAVAL  OBSERVATORY. 


NO.  30.— PLAN  SHOWING  PROPOSED  TREATMENT  OP  THE  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL  SITE 


NO.  49.— VIEW  SHOWING  THE  PROPOSED  DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL  SITE,  SEEN  FROM  THE  CANAL. 


THE  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 


THE  area  extending  westward  for  a  mile  from  the  Monument 
to  the  bank  of  the  Potomac — land  reclaimed  from  the  river 
fiats — remains  to  be  considered.  For  the  most  part  this  area 
from  New  York  avenue  to  the  river  should  be  treated  as  a  wood, 
planted  informally,  but  marked  by  formal  roads  and  paths,  much  as 
the  Bois  de  Bologne  at  Paris  is  treated.  If  the  plans  as  laid  down 
by  this  Commission  shall  be  observed  bv  the  armv  engineers  in  the 
remaining  work  of  flats  reclamation,  and  by  the  District  engineers 
when  they  come  to  complete  the  sewage-disposal  system,  this  portion 
of  Potomac  Park  can  be  made  ready  for  planting  without  appreciable 
expense. 

The  central  portion  of  this  area,  still  adhering  to  the  Mall  width  of 
sixteen  hundred  feet,  has  a  special  and  particular  treatment.  From 
the  Monument  garden  westward  a  canal  three  thousand  six  hundred 
feet  long  and  two  hundred  feet  wide,  with  central  arms  and  bordered 
by  stretches  of  green  walled  with  trees,  leads  to  a  concourse  raised  to 
the  height  of  the  Monument  platform.  Seen  from 

The  canal. 

the  Monument  platform,  this  canal,  similar  in  char¬ 
acter  and  general  treatment  to  the  canals  at  Versailles  and  Fontaine¬ 
bleau,  in  France,  and  at  Hampton  Court,  in  England,  introduces  into 
the  formal  landscape  an  element  of  repose  and  great  beauty.  At  the 
head  of  the  canal  a  great  rond  point ,  placed  on  the  main  axis  of  the 
Capitol  and  the  Monument,  becomes  a  gate  of  approach  to  the  park 
system  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  Centering  upon  it  as  a  great 
point  of  reunion  are  the  drives  leading  southeast  to  Potomac  Park 
and  northwest  by  the  Riverside  drive  to  the  Rock  Creek  system  of 
parks.  From  this  elevation  of  forty  feet  the  Memorial  Bridge  leads 
across  the  Potomac  directly  to  the  base  of  the  hill  crowned  by  the 
Mansion-house  of  Arlington. 

o 

Crowning  the  rond  point,  as  the  Arc  de  Triomphe  crowns  the  Place 
* 

de  flEtoile  at  Paris,  should  stand  a  memorial  erected  to  the  memory  of 

51 


52 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


that  one  man  in  our  history  as  a  nation  who  is  worthy  to  be  named 
with  George  Washington — Abraham  Lincoln. 

Whatever  may  be  the  exact  form  selected  for  the  memorial  to 
Lincoln,  in  type  it  should  possess  the  quality  of  universality,  and 
also  it  should  have  a  character  essentially  distinct  from  that  of  any 
monument  either  now  existing  in  the  District  or  hereafter  to  lie 
Type  of  the  Lincoln  erected.  The  type  which  the  Commission  has  in  mind 
Memorial.  js  a  great  portico  of  Doric  columns  rising  from  an 

unbroken  stylobate.  This  portico,  while  affording  a  point  of  vantage 


No.  32. — Section  of  Lincoln  Memorial. 


from  which  one  obtains  a  commanding  outlook,  both  upon  the  river 
and  eastward  to  the  Capitol,  has  for  its  chief  function  to  support  a 
panel  bearing  an  inscription  taken  either  from  the  Gettysburg  speech 
or  from  some  one  of  the  immortal  messages  of  the  savior  of  the  Union. 

The  portico  contemplated  in  the  plans,  consisting  of  columns  forty 
feet  in  height,  occupies  a  space  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  feet  in  length 
and  two  hundred  and  twenty  feet  in  width;  it  is  approached  by  flights 
of  stairs  on  the  east  and  the  west,  is  embellished  with  appropriate 
groups  of  sculpture,  and  is  surmounted  by  a  central  crowning  group 
of  statuary.  At  the  head  of  the  canal,  at  the  eastern  approach  to  the 
memorial,  it  is  proposed  to  place  a  statue  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  while 
surrounding  the  memorial  and  framing  it  are  linden  trees,  planted 
four  rows  deep,  to  form  a  peristyle  of  green,  from  which  radiate 
various  avenues  centering  upon  the  memorial  itself.1 


'On  June  16,  1902,  the  House  of  Representatives  passed  the  Senate  bill,  introduced 
by  Mr.  Cullom,  of  Illinois,  as  follows: 

Be  it  enacted,  etc.,  That  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the  Library  of  the 
Senate,  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the  Library  of  the  House  of  Representa¬ 
tives,  the  Secretary  of  State,  and  the  Secretary  of  War,  and  James  D.  Richardson,  a 
member  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  be,  and  they  are  hereby,  created  a  com¬ 
mission  to  secure  plans  and  designs  for  a  monument  or  memorial  to  the  memory  of 
Abraham  Lincoln,  late  President  of  the  United  States. 

Sec.  2.  That  the  sum  of  $25,000,  or  so  much  thereof  as  may  be  necessary,  is  hereby 
appropriated,  out  of  any  money  in  the  Treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated,  to  carry 
out  the  provisions  of  this  act. 

Sec.  3.  That  the  said  commission  shall  report  the  result  of  their  action  to  Congress 
as  soon  as  practicable  after  a  decision  has  been  reached. 


THE  MEMORIAL  BRIDGE,  ANALOSTAN  ISLAND, 
AND  THE  NATIONAL  CEMETERY 
AT  ARLINGTON. 


S.  Rep.  166 - 9 


53 


THE  MEMORIAL  BRIDGE,  ANALOSTAN  ISLAND,  AND  THE 
NATIONAL  CEMETERY  AT  ARLINGTON. 


ON  the  occasion  of  laying-  the  corner  stone  for  the  extension 
of  the  Capitol,  on  the  Fourth  of  July,  1851,  Daniel  Webster, 
in  the  course  of  an  impassioned  plea  for  preservation  of  the 
Union,  which  in  his  prophetic  vision  seemed  even  then  on  the  vero-e 

to 

of  dissolution,  exclaimed: 

Before  us  is  the  broad  and  beautiful  river,  separating  two  of  the  original  thirteen 
States,  which  a  late  President,  a  man  of  determined  purpose  and  inflexible  will,  but 
patriotic  heart,  desired  to  span  with  arches  of  ever-enduring  granite,  symbolical  of 
the  firmly  established  union  of  the  North  and  the  South.  That  President  was 
General  Jackson. 

The  struggle  which  the  orator  and  the  statesman  were  powerless  to 
avert  brought  about  the  perpetuation  of  the  Union;  and  to-day  the 
survivors  of  that  war,  both  those  of  the  North  and  those  of  the  South, 
using  the  words  of  President  McKinley,  urge  the  building  of  the 
Memorial  Bridge  as  a  monument  to  American  valor. 

For  the  past  seventeen  years  the  Memorial  Bridge  project  has  been 
before  Congress  constantly.  In  response  to  the  Senate  resolution  of 
May  24,  1886,  Major  Hains,  of  the  Corps  of  Engineers,  reported  in 
favor  of  a  bridge  of  four  spans,  each  about  three  hundred  feet  in 
length,  to  extend  from  the  Washington  bank  of  the  Potomac  to 
Analostan  Island,  the  island  itself  and  the  bed  of  Little  River  to  be 
crossed  partly  by  an  embankment  and  parti}-  by  an  open  trestle,  the 
cost  for  the  entire  work  to  be  about  $650,000.  About  the  same  time 
Captain  Symons  submitted  a  plan  for  a  more  elaborate  structure,  to 
extend  from  Observatory  Hill  to  the  National  Cemetery  and  Govern¬ 
ment  estate  at  Arlington,  at  a  cost  of  $1,500,000.  On  February 
20,  1890,  the  Senate  again  called  for  a  study  of  the  subject,  and 
in  response  Colonel  Hains  proposed  a  bridge  four  thousand  five 
hundred  and  eighty  feet  in  length,  extending  from  New  York 
avenue  to  the  Arlington  estate,  at  a  cost  of  $3,591,000. 


56 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


Subsequently  several  reports  were  made  on  bills  to  provide  for  a 
Memorial  Bridge,  but  the  first  legislation  on  the  subject  is  found  in 
the  sundry  civil  act  approved  March  3,  1899,  which  appropriated 
$5,000  “to  enable  the  Chief  of  Engineers  of  the  Army  to  continue 
the  examination  of  the  subject  and  to  make  or  secure  designs, 
calculations,  and  estimates  for  a  Memorial  Bridge  from  the  most 
convenient  point  of  the  Naval  Observatory  grounds,  or  adjacent 
thereto,  across  the  Potomac  River  to  the  most  convenient  point  of 
the  Arlington  estate  propertju ” 

Acting  under  the  authority  so  conferred,  four  bridge  engineers, 
Messrs.  L.  L.  Buck,  William  H.  Burr,  William  R.  Hutton,  and  George 

Bridge  designs  sub-  S-  Morrison,  were  invited  to  prepare  plans.  These 
mitted.  plans  were  submitted  to  a  jury  composed  of  Lieutenant- 

Colonel  Charles  J.  Allen,  Major  Thomas  W.  Symons,  Captain  D.  D. 
Gaillard,  of  the  Corps  of  Engineers,  and  Mr.  Stanford  White  and  Mr. 
James  G.  Hill,  architects,  who  reported  in  favor  of  a  combination  of 
the  designs  submitted  by  Professor  Burr.  The  cost  was  estimated  at 
$4,860,000,  and  the  structure  proposed  was  a  highly  decorated  bridge 
eight}T-four  feet  in  width,  adapted  for  street-railway  tracks,  and  fitted 
with  a  steel  bascule  draw.  These  plans  were  submitted  to  Congress 
by  the  Secretary  of  War  on  April  9,  1900,  but  thus  far  no  action  upon 
them  has  been  taken.1 

Up  to  the  time  this  report  was  submitted  no  study  had  been  made  for 
the  development  of  the  Potomac  Park,  and  for  this  reason,  doubtless, 
favorable  consideration  was  given  to  bridge  plans  which  contained 
in  themselves  features  unusually  elaborate.  The  studies  which  the  Park 
Commission  has  made  for  the  improvement  of  Potomac  Park,  and  the 
introduction  in  the  park  proper  of  memorials  of  the  largest  type, 
have  led  the  Commission  to  recommend  certain  modifications  in  both 
the  location  and  the  character  of  the  Memorial  Bridge. 

The  proposed  Lincoln  memorial,  located  on  the  bank  of  the  Potomac, 
on  the  axis  of  the  Capitol  and  the  Washington  Monument,  and  occupy¬ 
ing  an  elevation  forty  feet  above  the  level  of  the  water,  makes  a  start¬ 
ing  point  for  the  bridge  that  becomes  especially  convenient  when  this 
rond point  is  considered  as  the  point  of  divergence  and  reunion  of  the 
driveways  leading  to  the  Rock  Creek  park  system  on  the  northwest 
and  the  Potomac  system  on  the  southeast.  Moreover,  the  establish- 


1  House  of  Representatives  Document  No.  578,  Fifty-sixth  Congress,  first  session. 


MEMORIAL  BRIDGE,  ANALOSTAN  ISLAND,  NATIONAL  CEMETERY.  57 


mentof  this  concourse  allows  the  bridge  to  cross  the  river  at  the  angle 
most  convenient,  taking  into  consideration  both  the  channel  of  the 
river  and  the  main  objective  point— the  mansion  house  at  Arlington. 

Inasmuch  as  the  comparatively  flat  topography  of  the  country  makes 
undesirable  a  high  bridge  under  which  vessels  could  pass,  the  decreased 
Length  of  bridge  ^ng'th  of  bridge  required  under  the  new  plans  is  in 
desirable.  itself  a  weighty  consideration.  At  the  same  time  the 

necessity  of  placing  a  draw  in  the  bridge  calls  for  such  a  treatment  of 
the  spans  as  shall  not  result  in  an  apparent  weakening  of  the  structure 
at  its  central  and  vital  point. 

All  these  things  considered,  the  Commission  recommends  that  the 
Memorial  Bridge  proper  begin  at  the  proposed  Lincoln  memorial  and 
extend  to  Analostan  Island;  that  the  supports  be  masonry  piers  of 
monumental  character;  that  the  spans  be  so  arranged  as  to  prevent  a 
uniform  appearance,  the  character  of  the  draw  used  being  such  as  to 
bring  about  this  result.  Also,  that  a  concourse  suited  to  memorial 
treatment  be  established  on  Analostan  Island,  and  that  the  extension 
of  the  passageway  from  the  island  to  the  Virginia  shore  be  distinctly 
subordinate  to  the  bridge  proper. 

The  competition  already  mentioned  having  resulted  in  the  selection 
of  one  of  the  leading  bridge  builders  of  the  country,  it  is  not  con¬ 
sidered  necessary  to  do  more  than  to  have  the  subject  restuclied  in  the 
light  of  the  new  conditions  and  to  have  such  modifications  made  in 
the  plans  as  shall  adapt  them  to  the  principles  above  laid  down,  all  of 
which  may  be  accomplished  under  the  direction  of  the  Secretary  of 
War  when  the  necessary  appropriations  shall  be  made.  Such  modifi¬ 
cations  would  call  for  the  removal  of  the  central  ornamental  towers, 
which  would  conflict  with  the  proposed  Lincoln  memorial,  and  which 
are  not  considered  as  in  themselves  desirable  features  for  the  central 
portion  of  a  bridge  structure. 

In  connection  with  the  Memorial  Bridge,  the  acquisition  and  devel¬ 
opment  of  Analostan  Island  becomes  an  important  consideration.  The 

Development  of  An-  i'sland  proper  is  about  eighty-eight  acres  in  extent; 
aiostnn  island.  and  £0  this  should  be  added  the  flats  at  the  eastern 
end,  which  must  be  reclaimed  eventually.  The  western  portion,  sep¬ 
arated  from- Georgetown  by  the  narrow  channel  of  the  river,  is  in 
part  covered  by  trees  and  in  part  by  sedges  and  water  plants.  Form¬ 
ing  an  important  and  beautiful  part  of  all  the  views  over  the  Boto- 


58 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


mac,  the  island  should  not  be  permitted  to  come  into  disagreeable- 
occupancy,  but  at  the  earliest  convenient  opportunity  it  should  be 
purchased  and  developed  as  a  river  park  for  the  use  of  that  por¬ 
tion  of  Georgetown  which  is  now  entirely  without  park  facilities. 
Inasmuch  as  the  island  will  be  crossed  bv  the  Memorial  Bridge,  it 
will  be  accessible,  and  at  its  present  ottered  price  it  would  form  a 
very  desirable  and  inexpensive  addition  to  the  park  system. 

The  broader  and  simpler  the  treatment  of  the  bridge  to  Arlington, 
the  closer  will  be  the  connection  between  the  reservations  now  sepa- 
,  .  .  .  rated  bv  the  Potomac,  and  the  more  vital  will  be  the 

relation  between  the  Potomac  Park  and  the  Arling¬ 
ton  estate.  Such  a  result  becomes  desirable  in  the  highest  degree 
when  one  considers  the  immense  numbers  of  people  who  resort  not 
only  to  Fort  Myer,  but  also  to  the  Arlington  Cemetery. 

The  interest  excited  by  the  drills  at  the  cavalry  post,  the  superb 
view  from  the  heights,  and  the  feelings  of  patriotism  awakened  by  the 
vast  field  of  the  hero  dead,  known  or  unnamed,  all  call  for  such  a 
treatment  of  the  entire  reservation  as  shall  not  diminish  but  rather 
enhance  the  effect  produced  on  the  visitor. 

There  is  nothing  that  needs  proper  supervision  and  planning  more 
than  the  modern  cemetery,  for  there  is  certainly  nothing  that  suffers 
more  from  vulgarity,  ignorance,  and  pretentiousness  on  the  one  side, 
and  grasping  unscrupulousness  on  the  other;  and  instead  of  being  a 
place  to  which  one  may  go  with  a  sentiment  of  respect  and  peace,  as 
into  a  church  or  sacred  place,  the  eye  and  the  feelings  are  constantly 
shocked  bv  the  monstrosities  which  dominate  in  all  modern  cemeteries. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  the  feeling  which  pervades  the  majority  of 
people  who  erect  monuments  to  their  dead  is  one  of  the  tenderest;  a 
sincere  desire  to  do  nothing  even  in  the  simplest  form  which  is  not 
fitting  and  in  entire  harmony  with  the  feeling  that  prompts  the  erec¬ 
tion  of  the  memorials.  This  feeling,  if  properly  protected  and  guarded, 
would  lead  to  the  harmonious  and  sober  treatment  so  necessary  for 
such  places.  A  great  example  of  the  effectiveness  of  such  restraint 
and  guidance  is  the  extraordinary  dignity,  impressiveness,  and  nobility 
of  the  Soldiers’  Cemetery  at  the  Soldiers’  Home  in  this  city,  and  also 
in  that  part  of  the  Arlington  Cemetery  set  apart  for  the  privates  and 
unknown  dead.  This  is  not  attained  by  any  large  monuments,  but  by 
the  very  simplicity  and  uniformity  of  the  whole. 


NO.  111.— MEMORIAL  WALK,  THIERGARTEN,  BERLIN. 


MEMORIAL  BRIDGE,  ANALOSTAN  ISLAND,  NATIONAL  CEMETERY.  59 

The  trouble  is  that  the  majority  of  monuments  now  in  the  ceme¬ 
teries  are  produced  by  firms  who  make  it  merely  a  business  affair,  the 
.  greater  portion  of  them  having  not  the  slightest  idea 

"K,,ts-  of  what  is  good  or  bad,  and  possessing  not  even  an 

elementary  knowledge  of  architecture  or  even  good  taste.  To  remedjr 
this  it  is  absolutely  necessary  that  the  designs  for  all  the  monuments 
in  all  the  cemeteries,  from  the  most  modest  to  the  most  costly,  should 
be  made  by  or  subject  to  the  approval  of  a  commission  composed  of 
two  or  three  architects  and  a  landscape  architect  of  the  highest  pos¬ 
sible  standing.  They  should  lay  out  and  design  the  cemeteries  and 
establish  rules  for  their  proper  supervision,  and  should  control  the 
designs  for  future  monuments  in  the  cemeteries  already  existing. 

Nothing  could  be  more  impressive  than  the  rank  after  rank  of 
white  stones,  inconspicuous  in  themselves,  covering  the  gentle,  wooded 
slopes,  and  producing  the  desired  effect  of  a  vast  army 

Tlie  soldier  dead.  , 

in  its  last  resting  place.  I  hose  spaces  reserved  tor 
burials  of  officers  and  their  families,  however,  exhibit  all  the  hetero¬ 
geneous  forms  which  disturb  those  very  ideas  of  peace  and  quiet 
which  should  characterize  a  spot  sacred  to  the  tenderest  feelings  of 
the  human  heart.  In  particular,  the  noble  slopes  toward  the  river 
should  be  rigorously  protected  against  the  invasion  of  monuments 
which  utterly  annihilate  the  sense  of  beauty  and  repose.  This  is  one 
of  the  most  beautiful  spots  in  the  vicinity  of  Washington;  it  should 
not  be  defaced  or  touched  in  any  way,  and  a  law  or  rule  should  at 
once  be  passed  forbidding  the  placing  of  any  monument  on  this  hill. 


THE  GROUPING  OF  THE  BUILDINGS  OF  THE 
EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENTS. 


61 


Memorial  Bridge. 


Executive  group, 


Highway  Bridge. 
Railroad  Bridge. 


Potomac  Park. 

NO.  21.— BIRD’S-EYE  VIEW  OF 


Washington  Channel .  War  College  and  Engineers  School.  Union  Square. 

GENERAL  PLAN,  FROM  A  POINT  TAKEN  4,000  FEET  ABOVE  THE  GOVERNMENT  HOSPITAL  FOR  THE  INSANE. 


Legislative  group 


THE  GROUPING  OF  THE  BUILDINGS  OF  THE  EXECUTIVE 

DEPARTMENTS. 


THE  location  of  the  buildings  connected  with  the  Legislative  and 
Judicial  Departments  of  the  Government  having  been  dis¬ 
cussed  in  another  portion  of  this  report,  attention  should  be 
given  to  the  buildings  of  the  Executive  Department.  Of  these  the 
first  to  be  considered  is  the  White  House,  the  corner  stone  of  which 
was  laid  on  October  13,  1792,  and  which  was  first  occupied  by  Presi¬ 
dent  and  Mrs.  John  Adams  in  1800.  The  building  was  burned  by  the 
British  in  1814,  and  both  its  construction  and  reconstruction  were 
superintended  by  its  architect,  James  Hoban. 

For  a  number  of  years  past  the  White  House  has  been  overcrowded 
b}T  reason  of  the  rapid  increase  in  public  business,  which  has  encroached 
seriously  upon  the  private  apartments  of  the  President.  The  larger 
receptions  and  other  social  functions  are  now  so  inadequatelv  provided 
for  as  to  cause  serious  discomforts  to  the  guests,  and  a  consequent  loss 
of  that  order  and  dignity  which  should  characterize  them.  State 
dinners  can  not  be  served  adequately;  and  all  the  conditions  surrounding 
the  home  life  of  the  President  are  primitive  to  the  last  degree. 

Three  methods  of  overcoming  the  present  unfortunate  conditions 
have  been  suggested:  First,  the  enlargement  of  the  White  House  by 
additions  on  the  east  and  west  of  the  present  building.  The  plans  and 
model  prepared  for  such  enlargement  prove  conclusively  that  the 
historic  V  hite  House  can  not  be  enlarged  without  destroying  its 
individuality,  thus  causing  the  loss  of  those  characteristic  features 
which  endear  the  edifice  to  the  American  people.1  Second,  it  has  been 
urged  that  the  White  House  be  given  up  entirely  to  public  business, 
and  that  a  residence  for  the  President  be  built  on  one  of  the  command¬ 
ing  hills  overlooking  the  city.  This  plan,  however,  has  not  as  yet 

1  Celebration  of  the  One  Hundredth  Anniversary  of  the  Establishment  of  the  Seat 
of  Government  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  compiled  by  William  V.  Cox;  address  of 
Col.  Theodore  A.  Bingham,  pp.  61-71. 


63 


64 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


commended  itself  to  popular  opinion.  The  third  alternative  is  that 
the  Executive  offices  be  removed  from  the  White  House,  and  that  the 
Presidents  House  (as  the  White  House  was  termed  officially  until  about 
1860)  be  devoted  entirely  to  residence  purposes.  This  latter  plan  is 
favored  by  the  present  Chief  Executive;  and  to  the  Commission  it 
seems  to  be  the  best  solution  of  the  problem  possible  at  this  time. 

The  location  of  the  building  to  contain  the  Executive  offices  is  a 
more  difficult  matter;  but  the  Commission  are  of  the  opinion  that 
while  temporary  quarters  may  well  be  constructed  in  the  grounds 
of  the  White  House,  a  building  sufficient  in  size  to  accommodate  those 
offices  may  best  be  located  in  the  center  of  Lafayette  Square.  This 
suggestion  must  be  taken  in  connection  with  the  full  development  of 
the  plan  outlined  below. 

There  is  a  present  and  pressing  need  for  new  buildings  for  existing 
Departments.  The  Department  of  Justice  is  without  a  home,  and  the 
site  selected  for  a  new  building  (a  portion  of  the  square  opposite  the 
Treasury  Department)  is  admitted  to  be  inadequate  for  the  erection 
of  a  suitable  structure.  The  State,  War,  and  Navy  Departments,  now 
housed  in  a  single  building,  are  in  so  crowded  a  condition  that  the}T  are 
occupying  additional  rented  quarters.  For  the  sake  of  convenience 
these  Departments  should  be  accessible  to  the  White  House,  which  is 
their  common  center.  The  proper  solution  of  the  problem  of  the 
grouping  of  the  Executive  Departments  undoubtedly  is  to  be  found  in 
the  construction  of  a  series  of  edifices  facing  Lafayette  Square,  thus 
repeating  for  those  Departments  the  group  of  buildings  for  the  Legis¬ 
lative  and  Judicial  Departments  planned  to  the  Capitol  grounds. 
Certainly  both  dignity  and  beauty  can  best  be  attained  by  such  a  dis¬ 
position  of  public  edifices. 

The  execution  of  this  plan  may  best  begin  by  erecting  on  the  entire 
square  bounded  by  Pennsylvania  avenue,  Jackson  place,  H,  and  Seven¬ 
teenth  streets  a  building  for  the  use  of  the  Departments  of  State  and 
of  Justice.  The  square  opposite  the  Treasury  Department  will  be 
required  before  many  years  by  the  Post-Office  Department,  now  most 
unworthily  and  inadequately  housed  in  rooms  over  the  local  post- 
office;  and  by  the  Department  of  Commerce,  soon  to  be  created.  It  is 
quite  possible  also  that  the  Interior  Department  may  find  it  most  con¬ 
venient  to  give  up  to  the  growing  needs  of  the  Patent  Office  its  present 
noble  building,  and  to  come  into  closer  physical  relations  with  the  other 


GROUPING  OF  BUILDINGS  OF  EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENTS. 


«5 


Executive  Departments.  The  Agricultural  Department,  however, 
being  the  nucleus  of  a  great  number  of  laboratories  requiring  a  maxi¬ 
mum  of  light  and  air,  may  properly  have  its  new  building  located,  as 
at  present  proposed,  on  the  grounds  in  the  Mall,  now  set  apart  for 
its  uses. 

Such  a  group  of  buildings,  with  the  Executive  offices  for  a  center, 
as  the  Capitol  is  the  center  of  the  Legislative  group,  will  result  in  a 
composition  of  the  greatest  possible  dignity  and  impressiveness.1 

'  Since  this  report  was  made  the  President  has  placed  Mr.  Me  Kim  in  charge  of  the 
reinstatement  of  the  White  House;  and  plans  have  been  prepared  for  the  construc¬ 
tion  of  a  temporary  office  building  in  the  White  House  grounds  on  the  west;  and  for 
the  restoration  of  the  President’s  house  in  such  a  manner  as  to  increase  the  available 
space  therein  by  about  one-half. 


THE  AREA  SOUTH  OF  PENNSYLVANIA 

AVENUE. 


67 


THE  AREA  SOUTH  OF  PENNSYLVANIA  AVENUE. 


DURING  the  past  two  decades  a  sentiment  has  develope'd  both 
among  the  residents  of  the  District  and  also  in  Congress,  that 
the  area  between  Pennsylvania  avenue  and  the  Mall  should 
be  reclaimed  from  its  present  uses  by  locating  within  that  section 
important  public  buildings.  The  avenue  itself  is  one  of  the  historic 
thoroughfares  of  the  world,  a  preeminence  attained  by  reason  of 
the  fact  that  it  connects  the  Executive  Department  with  the  Legisla¬ 
tive  and  Judicial  Departments  of  Government,  and  so  has  become  the 
route  of  those  processions  which  celebrate  great  occasions  in  peace 
and  war,  or  which  from  time  to  time  mark  the  change  of  Adminis- 
trations.  Although  within  recent  years  imposing  buildings  devoted 
to  business  purposes  have  been  erected  on  the  north  side  of  the  ave¬ 
nue,  nevertheless,  for  the  most  part,  the  thoroughfare,  spacious  as 
it  is  in  itself  considered,  is  lined  by  structures  entirely  unworthy  of 
the  conspicuous  positions  they  occupy.  The  upbuilding  of  Pennsyl¬ 
vania  avenue,  therefore,  must  of  necessity  have  consideration  in  any 
comprehensive  plan  for  the  treatment  of  Washington. 

The  extension  of  B  street  north  eastward  to  Pennsylvania  avenue, 
and  the  inclusion  within  the  Mall  of  the  space  south  of  that  street,  as 
extended,  will  in  part  solve  the  problem.  Furthermore,  the  present 
location  of  the  city  post-office  and  of  the  great  central  market,  together 
with  the  fact  that  the  business  of  the  citv  is  concentrated  largelv  along 
this  avenue,  both  suggest  that  within  this  area  the  public  buildings  of 
the  municipality,  as  distinct  from  the  General  Government,  may  well 
be  located.  The  Commission  have  the  more  confidence  in  making  this 
recommendation  for  the  reason  that,  by  common  consent  and  by  positive 
action  as  well,  a  site  for  a  District  building  was  set  apart  in  front  of  the 
present  Center  Market,  and  for  nearly  thirty  years  the  District  of 
Columbia  virtually  has  been  paying  an  annual  rental  for  that  site,  in  the 

69 


70 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


decreased  rents  charged  the  market  company  in  consideration  of  the 
relinquishment  of  a  portion  of  their  property  to  be  used  as  the  site  of 
a  municipal  building. 

Inadequate  as  to  size,  the  location  of  the  site  is  especially  adapted 
to  the  end  sought.  Occupying  a  position  midway  between  the  White 
House  and  the  Capitol,  situated  at  the  point  of  convergence  of  wide 
avenues,  located  in  the  very  center  of  business  activity,  placed  on  a 
line  with  the  dignified  building  of  the  Department  of  the  Interior  and 
of  the  new  Carnegie  Library,  the  site  selected  would  give  to  the  Dis¬ 
trict  building  and  to  the  municipality  it  represents  a  distinction  and  a 
dignity  all  its  own.  No  other  site  would  so  assert  the  individuality  of 
the  District  of  Columbia.  This  individuality  would  be  still  further 
enhanced  bv  grouping  within  the  same  general  area  other  buildings 
municipal  or  semi-municipal  in  character.  In  this  connection  the 
axial  relation  existing  between  the  proposed  site  and  the  present  loca¬ 
tion  of  the  District  courts  should  not  be  overlooked.1 

The  location  of  the  District  building  at  the  point  named  would  bring 
about  a  much-needed  change  in  market  conditions.  As  at  present  con¬ 
ducted,  a  large  portion  of  the  market  business  is  conducted  in  public 
thoroughfares,  to  the  inconvenience  of  travel  and  to  the  disturbance 
of  municipal  good  order.  Congress  having  retained  an  option  of  pur¬ 
chase,  the  market  may  well  be  removed  to  a  location  west  of  the  present 
one,  where  could  be  provided  a  sufficient  area,  within  which  territory 
the  business  could  be  conducted  within  the  market  itself  without 
encroaching  upon  the  public  thoroughfares.  This  new  market  should 
be  constructed  with  streets  running  through  it,  as  is  the  case  in  the 
admirable  examples  at  Paris,  Budapest,  and  other  cities  of  continental 
Europe. 

\\  ithin  the  same  general  area  should  be  constructed  an  amory  suf¬ 
ficient  in  size  to  accommodate  the  brigade  of  District  militia;  and 
since  the  inauguration  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  is  regarded 
as  a  municipal  and  not  as  a  national  function,  the  armory  should  be  of 
a  character  to  accommodate  the  inaugural  balls  now.  given  in  the  Pension 
Bureau,  to  the  disturbance  of  public  business. 

Also  the  much-needed  new  police  court,  the  police  and  fire  head¬ 
quarters.  an  enlarged  emergency  hospital,  and  other  like  divisions 

1  The  omnibus  public  buildings  act  of  1902  locates  the  munidipal  building  on  the 
site  between  Thirteen-and-a-half  and  Fourteenth  streets  south  of  Pennsylvania 


avenue. 


THE  AREA  SOUTH  OF  PENNSYLVANIA  AVENUE. 


71 


of  civic  administration  should  find  local  habitations  in  immediate 
proximity  to  the  District  building. 

In  such  manner,  gradually,  and  as  municipal  needs  become  insistent, 
the  entire  space  should  be  occupied,  transformed  from  its  present 
unworthy  conditions  into  a  section  having  a  distinct  character,  and  also 
being  closelv  related  to  its  environment. 


Bulfinch  Gatepost,  formerly  on  Capitol  grounds. 


OUTLYING  LARKS  AND  PARK  CONNECTIONS. 


NO.  106.— TEMPLE,  VILLA  BORGHESI,  ROME.  THE  ARCHITECTURAL  ACCENT  OF  A  SHADED  VISTA. 


THE  DISTRIBUTION  OF  THE  PARKS. 


ENCIRCLING  the  city  of  Washington  on  the  west,  north,  east, 
and,  if  the  Potomac  River  be  included,  on  the  south  also,  are 
situated  the  areas  in  which  are  the  parks  of  the  District  as  dis¬ 
tinguished  from  the  city  squares  and  grounds  appertaining  to  public 
buildings.  For  the  most  part  these  areas  are  in  their  natural  state,  with 
hills  and  valleys,  plateaus  and  ravines,  as  yet  untouched  by  the  pick  and 
shovel  of  the  improver;  but  along  main  lines  the  building  is  advancing  at 


such  a  rate  as  to  make  it  certain  that  within  a  few  decades  city  blocks 
and  asphalt  paving  will  occupy  the  areas  already  marked  out  on  the 
permanent  system  of  highways.  Whatever  of  natural  beauty  is  to  be 
preserved  and  whatever  park  spaces  are  still  to  be  acquired  must 
be  provided  for  during  the  next  few  years  or  it  will  be  forever  too  late. 

Fortunately  the  larger  areas  necessary  for  an  adequate  park  system 
have  either  been  acquired  or  are  awaiting  reclamation.  What  remains 
to  be  done  is  to  select  and  acquire  those  areas  which  are  best  fitted 
for  connections  between  existing  parks;  to  provide  for  the  preserva¬ 
tion  and  improvement  of  certain  spots  of  exceptional  beauty,  like  the 
chain  of  abandoned  forts  encircling  the  District;  to  bring  into  use  for 
pleasure  purposes  the  wild  and  picturesque  banks  of  the  Potomac, 
and  to  secure  many  smaller  spaces  in  order  to  extend  the  park  system 
of  the  city  to  keep  pace  with  the  extension  of  the  streets  and  avenues. 
In  order  to  make  clear  how  the  above-mentioned  tracts  relate  to  the 
city  and  to  each  other  it  is  necessary  to  explain  the  topography  of  the 
region  in  which  they  lie. 

The  District  of  Columbia,  extending  for  ten  miles  along  the  left  bank 
of  the  Potomac,  is  divided  into  three  distinct  parts  by  two  tributary 

Natural  conditions  streams,  the  Anacostia  River  to  the  southeast  of  the 
of  the  District.  center,  and  Rock  Creek  to  the  northwest.  Both  val¬ 
leys  are  deep  and  are  flanked  by  high  hills;  but  the  valley  of  the  Ana¬ 
costia  is  broad  while  that  of  Rock  Creek  is  narrow  and  abrupt.  The 


76 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


southeasterly  section,  beyond  the  Anacostia  River,  consists  of  a  series 
of  long-  connecting  ridges,  ranging  from  160  to  300  feet  in  height  above 
the  river,  comparatively  flat  on  top,  but  cut  up  by  small  valleys  on 
their  flanks  into  innumerable  projecting  points  and  minor  sloping 
ridges. 

The  northwestern  section  is  a  more  solid  mass,  r using  abruptly  from 
the  Potomac  to  a  height  of  100  feet  or  more,  sloping  up  to  an  eleva¬ 
tion  of  300  feet  within  half  or  three-quarters  of  a  mile  and  reaching  to 
over  400  feet  in  the  middle  of  the  area.  The  mass  is  dissected,  like 
the  Anacostia  ridges,  by  numerous  steep-sided  valle}Ts,  some  flowing 
east  into  Rock  Creek  and  some  south  into  the  Potomac.  The  steep¬ 
ness  of  the  declivities  and  the  considerable  height  of  the  hills  in  both 
of  these  sections  constantly  present  extensive  and  impressive  views. 

The  central  section  is  subdivided  into  a  northern,  outer,  hilly  part, 
similar  to  the  sections  already  described,  although  not  so  abrupt  in  its 
topography,  and  a  southern  or  inner  part,  forming  the  point  between 
the  two  main  valleys,  of  gently  undulating  surface  and  occupied  by 
the  main  body  of  the  city  of  Washington.  It  was  this  inner  portion, 
admirably  adapted  to  urban  development,  that  was  originally  selected 
and  laid  out  as  the  Federal  city,  with  an  area  as  large  as  the  areas  of 
densely  built  European  capitals  of  a  hundred  years  ago,  but  quite 
insufficient  for  a  modern  city  of  large  population.  The  three  outer 
sections  of  the  district,  healthful  and  charming  as  country,  are  very 
ill  adapted  for  ordinary  urban  occupation,  and  their  use  for  such  pur¬ 
poses  involves  many  difficult  problems  which  have  not  all  been  suc¬ 
cessfully  solved  as  yet. 

The  most  important  feature  of  the  Washington  climate,  so  far  as  it 
atfects  the  park  problem,  is  the  oppressive  summer  heat  which  the 
Government  officials  and  employees  and  other  residents  must  for  the 
most  part  undergo — a  factor  which  seems  to  call  strongly  for  several 
palliatives:  the  maintenance  of  shade,  the  preservation  of  many  hilltops 
where  breezes  may  be  caught,  the  preservation  of  many  of  the  deep, 
shady  valleys  in  which  the  cooler  air  appears  to  settle  on  summer 
afternoons,  and  the  liberal  use  of  fresh  running  water  all  about  the 
city  and  its  parks,  whether  in  the  form  of  springs  and  brooks  or  of 
fountains  and  basins. 

If  the  present  distribution  of  park  lands  within  the  boundary  of  the 
old  city  of  Washington  is,  as  we  believe,  no  more  than  reasonable,  and 
if  the  distribution  of  parks  in  and  around  the  capitals  of  other  great 


EXISTING  LARGE  PARKS  AND  PROPOSED  ADDITIONS. 


77 


nations  and  our  own  large  cities  is  not  unreasonable,  it  is  evident  from 
a  glance  at  the  accompanying  diagrams  that  a  considerable  increase  in 

The  need  for  addi-  number  of  parks  in  the  outer  part  of  the  District 
tionai  parks.  is  absolutely  requisite  if  provision  is  to  be  made  for 

the  needs  of  the  immediate  future.  It  is  true  that  the  resident  popu¬ 
lation  of  Washington  at  the  present  time  is  much  smaller  than  the 
population  of  such  capitals  as  London  and  Paris,  or  such  American 
cities  as  New  York  and  Boston,  with  which  its  park  area  is  compared 
in  these  diagrams,  but  even  in  proportion  to  its  present  population  it 
would  not  compare  very  favorably  with  Paris  as  to  park  area;  and  it 
is  to  be  remembered,  first,  that  Washington  is  growing  very  rapidly 
with  the  growth  of  the  nation  in  numbers  and  prosperity,  and.  second, 
that  its  parks,  like  its  public  buildings,  are  not  to  be  considered  merely 
in  reference  to  its  resident  population,  but  in  relation  to  the  millions 
of  citizens  from  far  and  near  who  come  to  Washington  expecting,  and 
having  a  right  to  expect,  that  here,  at  the  seat  of  government,  they 
shall  find  not  merely  what  is  considered  “good  enough  ”  in  their  work¬ 
aday  home  cities,  where  most  of  the  citizens’  energy  must  perforce  be 
spent  on  commercial  struggles,  but  the  very  best  that  is  to  be  had. 

In  considering  what  might  wisely  be  added  to  the  park  system,  we 
have  not  fixed  upon  any  arbitrary  proportion  to  area  or  to  estimated 
population,  but  have  selected  only  those  places  which  from  their 
natural  conditions,  whether  because  of  steepness,  inaccessibility,  or 
difficulties  of  drainage,  or  from  their  peculiar  and  exceptional  natural 
beauty,  seemed  likely  to  bring  a  smaller  return  to  the  community  if 
used  for  the  ordinary  purposes  of  private  occupancy  than  if  used  for 
parks.  In  order  to  have  a  sound  basis  for  our  conclusions,  we  have 
made  careful  personal  examinations  of  nearly  all  parts  of  the  District. 
This  examination  has  been  guided  and  supplemented  by  the  use  of  the 
admirable  topographical  map  of  the  District  made  by  the  Coast  and 
Geodetic  Survey.  When  our  general  conclusions  were  reached,  the 
proposed  additions  were  plotted  on  the  map;  and,  after  carefully  con¬ 
sidering  their  relations  to  the  highwav  extension  system  and  other 
proposed  improvements,  we  examined  the  lines  on  the  ground  with 
map  in  hand.  Before  coming  to  definite  conclusions,  and,  indeed, 
throughout  our  investigation,  we  consulted  with  the  District  Commis¬ 
sioners  and  their  assistants,  with  the  officer  in  charge  of  the  Potomac 
Flats  improvements,  and  with  other  officials,  all  of  whom  were  most  con¬ 
siderate  in  giving  information  and  advising  with  us. 


NO.  193.— RIVERSIDE  PARK,  WADING  POOL,  HARTFORD,  CONN. 


TREATMENT  OF  THE  MINOR  RESERVATIONS. 


TITHIN  the  old  city  limit  s  no  additional  small  reservations  are 
needed,  but  in  the  remaining1  four-fifths  of  the  District  there 
are  practically  none,  as  against  275  in  the  city.  Distributed 
with  the  same  wise  foresight  as  was  shown  by  the  founders  of  the  city, 
and  with  equal  liberality,  there  should  be  some  ten  or  twelve  hundred 
in  the  outlying  district.  Without  adopting  any  such  arbitrary  ride, 
we  can  sa}7  that  considerable  numbers  of  these  minor  spaces  ought  now 
to  be  secured  while  much  of  the  land  is  selling  at  acre  prices.  In  many 
cases  there  is  no  strong  ground  of  choice  among  several  good  areas  in 
one  neighborhood,  and  the  final  determination  must  depend  very 
largely  upon  the  prices  at  which  the  several  parcels  are  offered  by  their 
owners. 

Aside  from  a  few  particularly  agreeable  groves,  the  points  that  are 
singled  out  by  natural  conditions  as  especially  worthy  of  preservation 
are  mainly  hilltops  from  which  extensive  views  may  be  obtained. 
It  so  happens  that  most  of  these  hilltops  from  their  commanding 
positions  were  occupied  by  forts  during  the  civil  war  as  part  of 
the  defenses  of  Washington,  thus  adding  historical  associations  to 
the  reasons  which  would  otherwise  suggest  their  acquisition.  As  the 
small  areas  thus  specifically  recommended  for  purchase  are  shown  on 
map  No.  D-288  and  are  enumerated  in  detail  in  Appendix  I,  it  will 
suffice  to  say  here  that  the}7  number  17  and  amount  to  a  total  area  of 
364  acres.  To  these  should  be  added  a  much  greater  number  of 
small  pieces,  which  can  be  selected  more  wisely  by  a  board  authorized 
to  negotiate  with  the  landowners  and  obtain  options. 

One  other  point  to  be  borne  in  mind  in  choosing  these  reservations  is 
that  the  future  will  call  for  schoolhouses  in  all  parts  of  the  District,  and 
that  it  will  be  of  the  utmost  value  to  secure  in  advance  well-distributed 
school  house  sites  having  adequate  area  suitable  for  playgrounds. 

79 


S.  Rep.  166 - 11 


80 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


There  are  within  the  city  26  squares,  circles,  etc.,  between  one  acre 
and  25  acres  in  extent,  and  2T5  ranging-  from  one  acre  down  to  405 
square  feet,  making-  a  total  of  301,  with  a  total  acreage  of  166. 93. 1 

Most  of  the  larger  of  these  areas  occupy  well-chosen  and  important 
positions  suggested  by  the  lay  of  the  land,  and  the  original  street  sys¬ 
tem  of  the  city  was  adapted  to  them  so  as  to  recognize  and  emphasize 
their  importance,  while  most  of  the  smaller  areas  are  pieces  left  at  the 
intersections  of  the  streets  thus  determined.  They  are  distributed  quite 
uniformly  throughout  the  original  city,  but  practically  none  have  yet 
been  provided  for  the  remaining  four-fifths  of  the  District. 

With  the  exception  of  one,  temporarily  fitted  for  use  as  a  play¬ 
ground,  those  that  have  been  improved2  have  been  treated  in  accord¬ 
ance  with  one  general  ideal,  although  exhibiting  some  variety  in 

arrangement  and  de¬ 
tail.  The  treatment 
adopted  aims  to  pro¬ 
vide  an^agreeable 
appearance  to  pass- 
ers-by,and  shade  and 
pleasant  surround¬ 
ings  for  those  who 
resort  to  the  squares 
for  recreation.  To 
these  ends  the}r  are 
generally  planted 
with  trees,  turfed, 
more  or  less  deco¬ 
rated  with  shrubs, 
flowers,  and  sculptural  monuments,  often  defined  and  protected  by 
curbing  or  fences,  and  when  of  sufficient  size  provided  with  paths 
and  benches.  Unfortunately  for  the  general  effect,  the  sculptural 
decorations  have  seldom  been  treated  as  a  part  of  the  design,  but  have 
been  inserted  as  independent  objects  valued  for  their  historic  or  memo¬ 
rial  qualities  or  sometimes  for  their  individual  beauty,  regardless  of  the 
effect  on  their  surroundings. 

Treated  as  they  are,  these  well-distributed  areas  are  of  the  utmost 

’A  detailed  list  will  be  found  in  Appendix  G.  Tables  I  and  II,  page  153. 

2 About  35  per  cent  of  the  total  number  have  been  “improved,”  and  24  per  cent 
“partially  improved.” 


Water  basin  at  the  Villa  Medici,  Rome. 


NO.  201.— IN  THE  GIRLS’  GYMNASIUM,  CHARLES  BANK,  BOSTON. 


NO.  200.— CHILDREN’S  SAND  PILES,  CHARLES  BANK,  BOSTON. 


TREATMENT  OF  THE  MINOR  RESERVATIONS. 


81 


Playgrounds. 


value  to  the  cit}',  contributing'  largely  to  the  cheerful  and  comfortable 
character  by  which  all  visitors  are  struck  and  attracted;  but  we  believe 
that  without  the  sacrifice  of  this  effect  it  would  be  possible  to  intro¬ 
duce  a  greater  variety  of  treatment,  giving  each  area  a  more  distinct 
individuality  and  providing  for  more  special  forms  of  recreation  chosen 
with  a  view  to  the  surroundings  and  capabilities  of  each  particular 
area. 

One  such  special  use  to  which  several  squares  should  be  devoted  in 
different  parts  of  the  city  is  that  of  playgrounds;  and  these,  too, 
should  be  considered  individually  and  not  in  any  wholesale  or  uniform 
way.  In  some  cases  they  should  provide  especially 
for  little  children,  with  smooth  protected  lawns,  with 
swings  and  teeter  boards,  with  sand  courts,  and  with  safe  and  shallow 
wading  pools  in  view  of  sheltered  seats  for  the  mothers  or  nurses. 
In  so  m  e  there 
should  be  regular 
outdoor  gymnasia, 
with  apparatus  for 
jumping,  vaulting, 
climbing,  swinging, 
and  the  like,  with 
tracks  for  running 
and  spaces  for  the 
lesser  athletic  con¬ 
tests,  such  as  put¬ 
ting'  the  shot  and 
quoits  and  bowling; 
in  others  there 
should  be  provision 
for  the  larger  games,  whether  the  schoolboys’  games  of  tag  and  pris- 
oners-base  and  scrub,  or  the  organized  games  of  baseball  and  football 
between  regular  teams. 

But  even  within  the  limits  of  more  passive-  recreation  there  might  well 
be  some  specialization;  some  areas,  for  instance,  arranged  as' shady  con¬ 
cert  groves,  with  little  or  no  turf,  for  the  comfortable  accommodation 
of  large  crowds  at  band  concerts;  one  01  more  places  arranged  for 
night  illuminations  with  electric  fountains,  and  for  the  display  of  fire¬ 
works  on  the  occasion  of  national  celebrations;  one  or  more  squares 
treated  with  a  series  of  basins  for  the  display  of  the  brilliant  aquatic 


No.  165. — Open-air  restaurant  in  the  Prater,  Vienna. 


82 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


flowers;  some  devoted  especially  to  evergreen  winter  effects;  and  very 
many  arranged  in  all  their  details  with  a  view  to  giving  the  maximum 
refreshment  in  the  hot  summer  weather  by  means  of  shade  well  dis¬ 
tributed  and  by  means  of  gushing,  rippling,  sparkling,  living  water — 
not  in  a  series  of  repeated  commonplace  forms,  but  infinite  in  its  varia¬ 
tions,  and  when  wisely  used  always  full  of  a  new  charm  and  refreshment. 

The  amount  invested  in  the  land  of  these  squares  at  current  prices 
amounts  to  several  million  dollars,  and  to  secure  a  fair  rate  of  interest 
in  recreative  value  requires  the  application  of  as  much  purposeful 
ingenuity  and  well-trained  judgment  in  design  and  management  as  is 
needed  in  the  conduct  of  any  business  enterprise  of  similar  magnitude.1 


'The  existing  parks  are  shown  on  map  No.  D-287;  the  proposed  additions  are 
shown  on  map  No.  D-288;  the  positions  and  boundaries  of  the  several  areas  dis¬ 
cussed  in  this  report  can  be  followed  most  readily  on  the  combined  map  No.  D-289. 


NO.  199.— OPEN-AIR  GYMNASIUM,  CHARLES  RIVER  EMBANKMENT,  BOSTON. 


NO.  187.— LE  PONT  NEUF  AND  QUAYS,  PARIS. 


THE  LARGER  PARKS  AND  THEIR  CONNECTIONS. 


IN  discussing  the  larger  parks  and  their  connections  we  shall  begin 
at  the  western  end  of  the  Mall,  and  take  the  western,  central,  and 
eastern  sections  of  the  District  in  order,  ending  with  the  Potomac 
Park  on  the  south.  Beginning  at  the  site  of  the  Lincoln  memorial, 
at  the  westerly  extremity  of  the  Mall  as  extended  to  the  Potomac, 
a  parkway  should  skirt  the  bank  of  the  Potomac  to  the  mouth  of 
Rock  Creek. 

A  broad,  payed  quay  or  landing  place  should  extend  the  shore  line 
out  to  the  deep  main  channel  and  present  to  the  river  a  smooth,  con¬ 
tinuous  wall,  instead  of  jutting  piers  which  retard  the 

Potomac  quay.  7  J  *  1 

current  and  tend  to  cause  shoaling.  This  quay  should 
be  on  a  level  with  the  adjacent  land,  which  is  likely  to  be  occupied 
in  the  future,  as  at  present,  by  various  industries  using  bulky  water¬ 
borne  freight — -such  as  coal  yards,  gas  works,  paving  concerns,  and 
the  like — to  which  the  material  can  be  transferred  from  the  quay 
by  wagons,  tram  cars,  or  belt  conveyors,  much  as  it  is  now  handled 
by  the  more  enterprising  abutters.  The  park  drive  and  promenade 
should  be  carried  through  at  the  landward  side  of  the  quay  proper, 
between  it  and  the  commercial  establishments,  but  at  a  higher  level 
with  frequent  arched  openings  underneath  for  the  transfer  of  goods, 
and  possibly,  also,  for  storage  purposes. 

Separated  by  the  difference  in  level  from  actual  conflict  with  the 
pleasure  travel,  the  activity  of  the  water  front  would  really  add  to 
the  interest  of  the  parkway  and  give  a  character  to  it  possessed  by 
no  other  in  this  country.  In  several  European  river  cities,  notably 
Paris,  Vienna,  and  Budapest,  there  are  such  combinations  of  a  com¬ 
mercial  quay  with  a  promenade  at  a  higher  level,  and  they  form,  in 
many  cases,  the  most  popular  and  delightful  resorts  for  the  people; 

but  in  no  case,  we  believe,  are  the  conditions  so  favorable  as  at  W  ash- 

83 


84 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


ington,  for  elsewhere  the  abutting  private  land  and  streets  arc  invari¬ 
ably  at  the  higher  level,  thus  necessitating  the  transfer  of  goods  up 
occasional  inclines  and  across  the  promenade  at  grade,  whereas,  in  this 
instance,  merchandise  can  be  readily  transferred  at  any  point  without 
the  least  interference  between  business  and  pleasure. 

This  quay  treatment  is  proposed  for  the  entire  stretch  between 
Potomac  Park  and  the  Pennsylvania  avenue  bridge  across  Rock  Creek, 
as  the  lower  portion  of  the  creek  is  a  part  of  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio 
Canal,  and  is  as  much  a  part  of  the  commercial  water  front  as  the 


No.  10. — Typical  treatment  of  Potomac  Quay. 

Potomac  itself;  but  above  Pennsylvania  avenue  entirely  different  con¬ 
ditions  prevail,  and  another  treatment  must  be  adopted.  Moreover, 
it  is  to  be  understood  that  the  accompanying  section  for  the  quay 
is  merely  typical,  and  would  be  modified  at  various  points  to  meet 
local  conditions — at  places  by  the  omission  of  the  street  on  the  inner 
side  of  the  drive,  at  places  by  different  arrangements  of  the  levels,  at 
places,  perhaps,  by  the  omission  of  the  inner  retaining  wall  and  the 
substitution  of  a  bank.  The  precise  line,  moreover,  of  the  quay  front 
and  of  the  taking  line  can  be  fixed  only  after  a  detailed  survey,  with 
soundings  and  foundation  tests;  but  in  the  main  the  project  here  set 
forth  is  unquestionably  practicable,  and  would  provide  at  once  the 
most  convenient  and  the  most  agreeable  treatment  for  the  connection 
between  the  parks  and  for  the  commercial  water  front. 

It  would  be  possible,  if  it  should  ultimately  be  thought  wise,  to 
continue  a  similar  treatment  along  the  whole  frontage  of  Georgetown 
Harbor,  and  thus  to  arrange  a  continuous  drive  along  the  river  from 
Potomac  Park  past  the  Aqueduct  Bridge  and  by  a  rising  grade  to  the 
upper  Potomac  drive,  but  such  a  construction  would  be  so  costly 
that  it  has  not  been  seriously  contemplated,  the  more  so  as  the  diffi¬ 
culties  in  the  way  of  such  an  undertaking  are  not  likely  to  increase 
with  the  passage  of  time. 


NO.  192. — QUAYS  AND  CORSO,  BUDAPEST. 


S.  Rep.  166 - 12 


NO.  172.— THE  BOULEVARD  OF  THE  REPUBLIC,  ALGIERS,  SHOWING  WIDE  COMMERCIAL  QUAYS  AND  STORAGE  SPACES  BELOW  THE 

BOULEVARD. 


THE  LARGER  PARKS  AND  THP7IR  CONNECTIONS. 


85 


Iwo  radically  different  plans  have  been  suggested  as  alternatives  in 
the  treatment  of  Rock  Creek  and  its  accompanyino- 

Rock  Creek  Parkway.  1  ‘  * 

parkway  between  Pennsylvania  avenue  and  Massa¬ 


chusetts  avenue: 

first.  To  build  a  large  covered  masonry  culvert  or  sewer  for  the 
creek,  and  to  till  around  and  over  this  structure  so  as  to  obliterate  the 
valley  and  raise  it  to  the  level  of  the  adjacent  lands,  constructing  a 
parkway  or  boulevard  upon  a  portion  of  the  filled  land  and  subdivid¬ 
ing  the  remainder  into  streets  and  lots  for  sale.1 

Second.  Io  improve  the  present  open  channel  of  the  creek,  regrade 
its  banks,  and  improve  them  for  park  purposes,  and  to  construct  roads 
and  paths  within  the  park  thus  formed,  spanning  the  valley  by  fre¬ 
quent  street  bridges  to  provide  close  connection  with  Georgetown.8 


No.  12. — Typical  section  of  Rock  Creek  Parkway — Alternative  project  with  covered  channel. 


The  general  character  of  the  two  projects  is  indicated  by  the  accom¬ 
panying  sections. 

The  Massachusetts  avenue  crossing  over  Rock  Creek  has  been 
designed  and  is  under  construction  as  a  culvert  and  fill  upon  the 
assumption  that  the  first  plan  will  be  carried  out,  but  although  this 
fill  will  interfere  with  the  perfect  execution  of  the  open  valley  plan, 
we  feel  compelled  to  recommend  the  definite  adoption  of  the  latter 
on  grounds  of  economy,  convenience,  and  beauty.  An  explicit  state¬ 
ment  of  the  steps  which  led  to  this  conclusion  would  burden  the 
report  needlessly  and  is  therefore  confined  to  Appendix  D,  page  135. 

1  Discussed,  except  as  to  construction  of  parkway,  in  Senate  Mis.  Doc.  No.  21, 
Fifty-second  Congress,  second  session. 

2  Proposed  by  committee  of  Washington  Board  of  Trade,  December  15,  1899.  See 
Park  Improvement  Papers,  No.  7. 


86 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


We  may  point  out,  however,  that  the  park  drives  and  paths  under  the 
open-valley  plan  would  be  separated  by  grade,  like  those  of  the 
Georgetown  Harbor  quay,  from  conflict  with  the  commercial  traffic 
of  a  busy  district;  but  while  the  activity  of  the  water  front  is  inter¬ 
esting  to  look  down  upon,  the  sights  of  the  inland  region  between 
Pennsylvania  avenue  and  Q  street  are  for  the  most  part  merely 
shabby,  sordid,  and  disagreeable.  It  is  therefore  a  very  fortunate 
opportunity  that  permits  the  seclusion  of  the  parkway  in  a  valley  the 
immediate  sides  of  which  can  be  controlled  and  can  be  made  to  limit 
the  view  to  a  self-contained  landscape,  which  may  be  beautiful  even 
though  restricted.  North  of  Q  street  the  valley  becomes  very  attract¬ 
ive  and  takes  on  something  of  the  sylvan  character  which  it  has  in  its 
upper  portion.  A  branch  drive  should  lead  to  Sheridan  circle,  and  the 
main  drive  should  rise  along  the  easterly  side  of  the  valley  so  as  to 


No.  11. — Typical  section  of  Rock  Creek  Parkway — Treatment  recommended. 


get  a  plunging  view  and  so  as  to  pass  just  under  Massachusetts  avenue, 
permitting  an  easy  connection  with  it.  From  this  point  to  the  Zoo¬ 
logical  Park  there  are  no  serious  difficulties,  and  the  problem  reduces 
itself  to  one  of  careful  and  judicious  detailed  adjustment  of  the  con¬ 
struction  to  the  topography  and  vegetation  of  the  valley. 

The  boundaries  shown  on  the  map  are  determined  below  Q  street  so 
as  to  include  only  what  is  needed  for  the  proper  regrading  of  the  val¬ 
ley  sides  and  other  essential  construction.  Above  that  point  they  are 
determined  partly  for  those  reasons,  but  in  places  so  as  to  include  some 
exceptionally  tine  hillside  woods  that  now  form  an  important  part  of 
the  valley  landscape,  and  if  cut  down  and  replaced  by  houses  would 
utterly  change  its  character.  In  so  far  as  it  was  practicable,  without 
essential  injury  to  the  parkway,  we  have  followed  lines  already  fixed 
for  streets  on  the  highway  plans  and  elsewhere  have  provided  for  new 
boundary  streets. 


NO.  180.— ROCK  CREEK,  LOOKING  NORTH  FROM  M  STREET  BRIDGE,  SHOWING  LANDSCAPE  VALUE  OF  THE  OPEN  WATER  SURFACE  AND  THE 
FOLIAGE  OF  THE  VALLEY,  AND  INDICATING  THE  DISAGREEABLE  CHARACTER  OF  THE  HIGH-LEVEL  SURROUNDINGS. 


t 


VALLEY  OF  ROCK  CREEK  AT  THE  ZOOLOGICAL  PARK. 


THE  LARGER  PARKS  AND  THEIR  CONNECTIONS. 


87 


The  Zoological  Park,  170  acres  in  extent,  lies  along  Rock  Creek 
about  2  miles  from  its  mouth  and  directly  northwest  from  the  central 
part  of  the  city.  Although  regularly  open  to  the 

Zoological  Park.  .  '  ®  &  1 

public  as  a  place  of  recreation,  the  purpose  of  the  park 
is  distinctly  specialized,  namely,  to  preserve  and  exhibit  a  collection  of 
living  animals  under  agreeable  and  natural  surroundings.  The  health 
of  the  animals  and  the  convenience  of  the  public  in  seeing  them  must 
be  the  controlling  considerations  here,  and  the  natural  landscape  of 
the  park,  although  of  recognized  importance,  must  necessarily  be 
modified  and  adapted  to  the  provision  of  numerous  buildings,  fences, 
roads,  and  paths,  and  the  need  of  bare  ground  or  pavement  that  is 
caused  by  crowds  of  people  and  herds  of  animals.  The  natural  condi¬ 
tion  of  rugged  sylvan  wildness  could  not,  therefore,  consistently  be 
maintained  in  this  park,  but  the  steep  topography  and  the  passages  of 
untouched  woods  suggest  a  picturesqueness  in  the  style  and  arrange¬ 
ment  of  the  artificial  constructions  which  has  been  followed  for  the 
most  part  successfully. 

In  the  future  development  of  the  park  there  are  two  dangers  to  be 
guarded  against— the  introduction,  on  the  one  hand,  of  buildings  or 
other  constructions  or  plantations  of  a  highly  organized  and  formal 
character,  out  of  harmony  with  the  character  already  adopted;  and  on 
the  other,  the  confusion  due  to  the  scattering  of  numerous  structures  and 
features  without  any  method  or  massing.  There  is  always  the  danger, 
too,  in  attempting  picturesque  and  rugged  effects  in  a  place  resorted 
to  by  large  crowds  that  the  accommodation  for  the  crowds  will  be 
made  insufficient  through  fear  of  making  the  paths,  roads,  steps,  and 
the  like,  too  conspicuous,  with  the  result  that  the  crowds  overflow  the 
places  made  for  them  and  reduce  the  whole  park  to  shabbiness.  One 
of  the  most  important  points,  therefore,  in  the  continued  improve¬ 
ment  of  the  Zoological  Park  is  to  watch  its  use  carefully;  to  forecast 
its  future  use  by  larger  crowds,  and  to  provide  such  accommodations 
that  the  people  will  be  led  always  to  concentrate  their  wear  and  tear 
on  the  places  prepared  to  withstand  it,  leaving  the  remainder  fresh  and 
wild  looking,  to  give  character  to  the  whole. 

Certain  additions  are  very  essential  to  the  proper  treatment  and 
maintenance  of  the  park,  and  we  can  not  urge  too  strongly  that  these 
be  made  without  delay.  A  statement  of  them,  with  the  reason  for 
each,  is  to  be  found  in  Appendix  I. 


88 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


Rock  Creek  Park  occupies  the  valley  of  the  creek  from  the  Zoolog¬ 
ical  Park  northward  to  the  District  line,  including  an  area  of  1,605.9 

acres  varying  in  width  from  less  than  300  yards  to  a 

Kock  Creek  Park.  '  * 

little  over  a  mile,  with  a  total  length  of  about  t  miles. 
The  valley  is  crooked  and  narrow  and  Hanked  by  steep,  high,  and 
thickly  wooded  hills.  In  the  southern  portion  of  the  park  some  of 
the  hill  tops  are  comparatively  level,  but  with  the  exception  of  these 
limited  plateaus  and  a  few  narrow  strips  of  bottom  land  along  the 
creek  the  whole  area  is  hilly  in  the  extreme.  Most  of  the  land  is  tim¬ 
bered  and  much  of  the  wood  is  of  considerable  age  and  beauty,  espe¬ 
cially  in  the  narrow  and  gorge-like  portions  of  the  valley,  offering 
some  very  beautiful  sylvan  scenery.  This  has  recently  been  made 
accessible  by  a  macadamized  road,  known  as  Beach  Drive,  along  the 
creek  from  the  Zoological  Park  halfway  to  the  northern  end,  connect¬ 
ing  with  the  Military  road  at  that  point,  and  continued  by  an  earth 
road  along  the  remainder  of  the  creek.  This  road,  which  was  very 
skillfully  laid  out,  has  brought  a  large  number  of  visitors  into  the 
valle}T  to  enjoy  the  beauty  of  its  scenery,  and,  as  the  road  is  of  limited 
width,  there  is  danger  that  it  may  soon  become  overcrowded;  if  so,  a 
very  serious  problem  in  the  development  of  the  park  will  arise  at  once. 

Narrow  as  the  present  road  is,  and  skillfully  as  it  was  built,  there 
are  several  points  where  it  has  very  appreciably  injured  the  scenery, 
and  to  widen  it  by  any  considerable  amount  would  be  a  calamity. 
It  is  true  that  the  value  of  the  park  scenery  depends  absolutely  upon 
making  it  conveniently  accessible  to  the  people,  but  nothing  can  be 
gained  if  the  means  of  access  destroys  the  sceneiy  which  it  is  meant 
to  exhibit,  and  we  believe  that  as  wide  a  road  as  the  future  population 
is  likely  to  demand  would  injure  the  character  of  the  valley  irreme¬ 
diably.  Possibly  the  solution  is  to  be  found  in  the  ultimate  construc¬ 
tion  of  another  and  wider  drive,  or  drives,  high  enough  on  the  valley 
sides  to  leave  the  wild  sylvan  character  of  the  stream  at  the  bottom 
of  the  gorge  uninjured,  but  yet  within  sight  and  sound  of  the  water 
and  seeming  to  be  of  the  valley.  Such  a  road  would  doubtless  require 
more  grading,  would  cost  more,  and  would  destroy  more  trees  and 
more  square  yards  of  pretty  undergrowth  than  a  road  of  equal  width 
in  the  bottom  of  the  gorge,  but  the  damage  of  the  latter  would  be 
done  at  the  vital  spot.  It  would  be  the  pound  of  flesh  from  nearest 
the  heart,  while  the  former  would  compare  with  the  amputation  of  a 
leg.  We  discuss  this  point,  not  because  we  wish  to  urge  this  par- 


THE  LARGER  PARKS  AND  THEIR  CONNECTIONS. 


89 


ticular  treatment,  but  in  order  to  make  clear  that  the  peculiar  topog¬ 
raphy  of  Rock  Creek  Park,  while  giving-  a  great  share  of  beauty, 
renders  its  development  as  the  principal  park  of  a  populous  city  a 
matter  of  great  perplexity,  requiring  the  most  careful  study. 

After  the  completion  at  its  present  width  of  the  road  along  the  creek, 
we  would  advise  most  urgently  that  no  further  work  of  development 
be  attempted  until  careful  studies  have  been  made  for  the  comprehen¬ 
sive  treatment  of  the  whole  park,  and,  if  the  park  is  to  be  made  avail¬ 
able,  such  studies  should  be  promptly  undertaken.  This  applies  not 
only  to  matters  of  construction,  but  to  the  treatment  of  the  vegetation. 
Should  certain  open  areas  be  planted  in  order  to  block  certain  unde¬ 
sirable  outlooks?  Should  certain  other  areas  now  growing  up  with 
young  trees  be  cleared  out  for  the  sake  of  the  views,  or,  if  not,  which 
are  the  trees  to  be  encouraged  in  each  instance?  Hundreds  of  such 
questions  ought  to  be  asked  and  answered  before  the  maintenance  and 
improvement  of  the  park  can  be  directed  intelligently  and  economically 
toward  the  best  future  results. 

As  a  rule,  the  boundary  should  be  upon  such  a  line  as  to  permit  the 
construction  of  a  border  street,  which  will  separate  the  park  from  the 
adjacent  property,  causing  the  neighboring  buildings  to  face  upon  it, 
making  it  easier  to  police,  and  in  general  adding  to  its  dignity.  Partly 
in  order  to  provide  for  boundary  streets  on  reasonable  grades  and 
partly  that  the  crests  of  the  overlooking  hills  may  be  under  the  control 
of  the  park  authorities  so  as  to  prevent  objectionable  structures  from 
being  obtruded  into  the  landscape,  a  considerable  number  of  additional 
purchases  are  requisite,  as  set  forth  seriatim  with  specilic  reasons  in 
Appendix  I.  These  additions  are  of  varying  degrees  of  importance, 
but  several  of  them  are  more  essential  to  the  future  value  of  the  park 
than  adjacent  land  already  acquired,  and  provision  for  their  purchase 
is  one  of  the  most  pressing  needs  of  the  park  system. 


FORT  RENO.  VIEW  TO  THE  NORTHEAST,  SHOWING  THE  NECESSITY  FOR  CONTROLLING  ADJACENT  PRIVATE  PROPERTY  IF  VIEW  IS  TO  BE 

PRESERVED. 


THE  SECTION  WEST  OF  ROCK  CREEK. 


I 


,Y 


'  an  important  entrance  to  Rock  Creek  Park  and  in  connection 
with  the  high  western  section  of  the  District,  we  propose  that 
a  parkway  be  formed  in  the  valley  of  Broad  Branch,  which 
enters  the  park  at  its  most  western  point.  The  valley  is  in  part  gentle 
and  open,  with  scattered  trees,  and  in  part  steep  sided  and  heavily 
wooded.  The  treatment  would  lie  in  effect  that  of  an  elongated  park 
contained  between  two  boundary  streets  and  including  a  sufficient  width 
of  natural  valley  scenerv  to  give  agreeable  surroundings  for  the  main 
drive,  bridle  path,  footpaths,  etc.  In  the  rough  portion  next  the  park 
the  character  would  be  somewhat  as  indicated  by  the  section  on 
page  92,  but  in  general  it  would  be  more  open  and  gentle.  The  width 
between  boundary  streets  would  vary  from  200  to  Too  feet. 

The  course  would  be  a  little  north  of  west  to  Connecticut  avenue,  a 
distance  of  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile.  The  main  drive  would  pass 
under  the  avenue,  but  a  branch  road  would  connect  with  it  at  grade, 
thus  putting  the  parkway  in  touch  with  Chevy  Chase  and  the  main 
line  of  transportation.  Beyond  Connecticut  avenue  the  branch  of  the 
valley  followed  by  the  parkway  turns  to  the  southwest  and  reaches 
Fort  Reno. 


The  site  of  Fort  Reno,  now  occupied  by  a  reservoir,  is  the  highest 
point  in  the  District,  425  feet  above  tide  level,  and  commands  remark¬ 
ably  wide  views  in  all  directions.  It  is  highlv  desir- 

Fort  Reno  Park.  *  t  * 

able  that  this  summit  be  preserved  from  exclusive 
private  occupation,  and  we  recommend  the  acquirement  of  a  sufficient 
area  to  protect  the  view  against  obstruction  by  houses  of  ordinary 
height  on  the  adjacent  slopes.  A  circle  2,000  feet  in  diameter  would 
attain  this  end  and  its  boundary  would  permit  the  construction  of 
a  border  street  at  good  grades.  A  short  link  of  parkway  would 

connect  Fort  Reno  along  the  ridge  to  the  south  with  Tenley  Circle 

91 


92 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


at  the  junction  of  Nebraska  avenue  and  the  Tenleytown  road.  This 
circle  is  the  point  of  junction  with  another  important  line  of 
parkway. 

To  the  west  of  Rock  Creek  the  only  considerable  tract  of  public  open 
land  is  that  at  the  receiving  reservoir,  in  the  extreme  corner  of  the 
District  overlooking  the  gorge  of  the  Potomac.  This  has  therefore 
been  taken  as  the  main  objective  point  of  the  principal  parkway  on 
the  west,  which  follows  almost  the  shortest  line  between  the  two 
reservations. 

The  Soapstone  Branch,  which  enters  Broad  Branch  where  the  latter 
joins  Rock  Creek,  about  a  mile  below  the  end  of  Broad  Branch  Park¬ 
way,  flows  through  a  rather  narrow,  well-timbered, 

Soapstone  Parkway.  '  . 

and  beautiful  valley,  heading  in  open  land  near  Tort 
Reno  and  Tenleytown.  This  valley  is  crossed  by  Connecticut  avenue 
at  a  point  where  it  is  flanked  by  two  high  wooded  peaks  or  knuckles 


No.  13.— Typical  section  of  one  of  the  Valley  Parkways,  such  as  Piney  Branch,  Soapstone  Creek,  and 

Georgetown  Parkways. 


rising  to  an  elevation  of  over  300  feet.  Simply  as  a  western  entrance 
to  Rock  Creek  Park  from  Connecticut  avenue  the  lower  portion  of 
this  valley  seems  quite  essential.  It  is  so  steep  sided  that  it  would 
be  costly  of  development  for  building  purposes,  while  nothing  could 
be  better  adapted  to  use  as  a  park  entrance,  as  it  affords  an  easy  grade 
and  pleasant  scenery  within  narrow  limits. 

The  two  knuckles  immediately  west  of  the  avenue  ought  also  to  be 
preserved,  on  their  own  account,  as  interesting  topographical  features 
rising  high  above  the  streets,  and  affording  to  those  who  will  climb 
them  extended  views  toward  tin1  east  and  toward  the  Monument. 

As  part  of  a  through  parkway,  the  valley  offers  an  opportunity  for 
the  drive  to  pass  under  Connecticut  avenue  with  its  heavy  and  swift 
suburban  electric  cars,  and  to  rise  through  the  opener  and  broader 
stretch  to  the  west,  reaching  by  a  slight  turn  on  an  easy  grade  one  of 


FORT  RENO.  VIEW  TO  THE  WEST.  THE  FENCE  IS  THE  LIMIT  OF  THE  PRESENT  PUBLIC  OWNERSHIP. 


NO.  135.  THE  POTOMAC  ABOVE  THE  AQUEDUCT  BRIDGE,  FROM  THE  LEVEL  OF  THE  PROPOSED  DRIVE,  SHOWING  NECESSITY  FOR  PUBLIC 

CONTROL  OF  THE  SLOPES  BELOW  THE  DRIVEWAY. 


THE  SECTION  WEST  OF  ROCK  CREEK. 


93 


the  spurs  of  the  high  ridge  in  which  the  western  portion  of  the  Dis¬ 
trict  culminates.  From  this  point,  at  an  elevation  of  340  feet,  is  to  be 
obtained  another  extensive  eastern  view  down  the  valley  and  over  Rock 
Creek  Park  to  Soldiers’  Home,  a  view  that  might  well  be  marked  by  a 
terrace  or  concourse,  especially  as  the  character  of  the  parkway  would 
change  at  this  point  from  the  informal  type  appropriate  in  the  wooded 
valley  to  a  formal  avenue  across  the  high  plateau,  the  terrace  thus 
making  a  strong  terminus  for  the  latter  and  emphasizing  the  drop  into 
the  valley.  The  formal  section  would  be  a  widening  of  Yuma  street, 
laid  out  but  not  constructed, 
and  would  lead  directly  to  a 
circle  at  the  junction  of  Ne¬ 
braska  avenue  and  Wisconsin 
avenue,  commonly  known  as 
Tenley  Road,  within  2,000  feet 
of  the  proposed  Fort  Reno 
Park,  the  highest  point  in  the 
District  of  Columbia.  In  con¬ 
nection  with  Nebraska  avenue 
extended,  a  branch  drive  on 
easy  grades  can  easily  be  pro¬ 
vided  to  Fort  Reno,  thus  bring- 
ing  it  within  easy  reach  of 
Rock  Creek  Park  and  the  city. 

From  the  Tenley  circle,  con¬ 
tinuing  on  the  widened  Yuma 
street,  a  distance  of  about  1,000 
feet  brings  the  line  to  the 
western  escarpment  of  the  narrow  plateau,  where  the  land  falls  rap¬ 
idly  and  steadily  from  its  elevation  of  410  feet,  disclosing  a  view 
that  sweeps  due  west  over  mile  after  mile  of  rolling  country  in 
Maryland  and  across  the  river  to  Virginia.  To  descend  from  this 
height  it  would  be  possible,  by  cutting  at  the  top  of  the  escarpment 
and  tilling  heavily  as  the  bottom,  to  avoid  excessive  grades,  but  to  do 
so  would  be  to  ignore  the  opportunity  here  offered  by  the  topographic 
conditions.  Instead  of  so  doing,  we  should  advise  carrying  the  park¬ 
way  level  out  to  the  very  brink,  there  ending  it  in  a  projecting  con¬ 
course  commanding  in  its  perfection  the  sunset  view,  preserved  from 
the  intrusion  of  future  buildings  by  the  acquisition  of  the  slope  in 


No.  154. — Terrace,  Villa  d’Este,  Tivoli,  showing  how 
a  declivity  commanding  a  view  is  used  and  empha¬ 
sized,  not  disguised. 


94 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


view  below;  then,  turning  the  road,  it  can  be  carried  down  upon  a 
very  easy  grade  by  means  of  two  reverses  on  the  hillside,  giving  the 
opportunity  at  some  future  time  of  developing  a  splendid  series  of 
terraces  facing  the  view  and  the  mile-long  continuation  of  the  park¬ 
way  to  the  reservoir  and  the  District  line. 

The  receiving  reservoir  grounds,  281.75  acres  in  extent,  situated  at 
the  westerly  edge  of  the  District,  close  to  the  Potomac  River,  lie 

partly  in  the  State  of  Maryland.  That  portion  in 

Receiving  reservoir.  ^  jg  heavily  wooded  and  the  land  is  of  a 

basin-like  formation.  No  views  of  any  importance  are  to  be  had  from 
this  land  except  that  portion  which  touches  the  palisades  of  the  Poto¬ 
mac.  From  this  portion,  however,  views  up  and  down  the  river  are 
to  be  had,  and  in  the  remainder  time  and  care  will  develop  some  very 
beautiful  woodland  scenery  to  which  the  large  pond-like  reservoir  will 
give  great  interest.  This  land  should,  therefore,  be  treated  consist¬ 
ently  with  a  view  to  its  ultimate  development  as  a  park.  An  adjacent 
block  of  land,  including  the  site  of  Battery  Vermont,  purchased  by 
the  District  for  a  girls’  reform  school  is  no  longer  needed  for  its  origi¬ 
nal  purpose,  and  may  lie  grouped  with  the  receiving  reservoir  for  park 
purposes. 

At  the  receiving-reservoir  grounds  is  reached  the  gorge  of  the 
Potomac  and  the  popular  Conduit  road,  which  provides  the  only  wav, 
except  by  trolley  cars,  to  see  the  gorge  from  above. 

Potomac  Drive.  .  , . 

As  its  construction  was  a  mere  incident  to  the  installa¬ 
tion  of  the  water  supply,  the  location  of  the  Conduit  road  was  not  fixed 
with  regard  to  aesthetic  effect,  but  from  the  fact  that  in  many  parts  of 


No.  14.— Typical  section  of  Potomac  Drive,  a  short  distance  above  Aqueduct  Bridge. 


its  course  it  follows  near  the  edge  of  the  declivity,  presenting  very 
line  views,  and  because  its  grades  are  generally  good,  it  is  more  resorted 


NO.  178.— CABIN  JOHN  BRIDGE,  A  PORTION  OF  THE  WASHINGTON  AQUEDUCT  SYSTEM. 


NO.  72.— VIEW  FROM  THE  TERRACES,  ST.  GERMAIN,  PARIS.  COMPARABLE  WITH  THE  VIEW  FROM  THE  PROPOSED  TERRACES  NEAR  TENNALLY  CIRCLE. 


THE  SECTION  WEST  OF  ROCK  CREEK. 


95 


to  than  any  drive  leading-  out  of  the  District,  except  the  one  to  Arling¬ 
ton.  We  believe  that  permanent  provision  should  be  made  for  the 
ends  that  are  tilled  in  a  temporary  and  partial  manner  by  the  Conduit 
road  and  that  this  provision  should  take  the  form  of  what  might  be 
called  a  cliff  drive  along  the  Potomac,  including  in  the  holdings,  in 
order  to  prevent  objectionable  occupancy,  all  the  unoccupied  steep  land 
from  the  top  of  bluff  down  to  the  river. 

At  the  upper  or  landward  edge  would  run  a  street  for  traffic  and  for 
house  frontage,  next  below  would  run  the  trolley  line,  altered  in  places 
from  its  present  location,  and  then,  in  the  best  position  to  present  the 
changing  panorama  of  the  river,  would  come  the  pleasure  drive  and  the 
promenade,  fitted  to  the  steep  and  irregular  hillside  by  well-adjusted 
slope  and  wall.  Still  farther  down  comes  the  picturesque  canal  and 
its  bordering  roadway,  and  in  places  there  might  be  call  for  a  road 


No.  16. — Typical  section  of  I'otomac  Drive  below  the  Chain  Bridge. 


close  down  by  the  river’s  edge.  The  arrangement  of  these  several 
parts  would  vary  with  the  varying  conditions  of  the  bluff,  as  is  sug¬ 
gested  in  the  accompanying  typical  sections,  but  always  the  effect 
would  be  picturesque  and  always  the  plunging  views  from  the  upper 
lines  would  be  tine.  Merely  to  provide  for  a  street  at  the  top  of  the 
slope  is  not  enough,  for,  although  the  land  is  for  the  most  part  too 
steep  to  have  much  commercial  value,  yet  here  and  there  ugly  and 
offensive  buildings  are  likely  to  creep  in,  as  they  have  done  somewhat 
in  the  past,  unless  the  slope  is  all  acquired  with  a  view  to  a  consistent 
treatment.  Years  ago  New  York  showed  the  way  in  the  Riverside 
drive,  an,d  it  is  high  time  that  the  example  should  be  followed  here,  at 
least  so  far  as  concerns  the  acquisition  of  the  land. 

But  such  a  treatment  of  the  river  side  logically  ought  not  to  stop  at 
the  District  line.  Indeed,  the  best  of  the  scenery  lies  beyond,  espe¬ 
cially  in  the  neighborhood  of  Cabin  John  Bridge  and  in  the  region 


96 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


just  about  and  below  the  Great  Falls.  The  Great  Falls  of  the  Potomac, 
considering  their  proximity  to  the  capital,  are  quite  as  well  worth  pres¬ 
ervation  for  their  grandeur  and  natural  beauty  as  the  greater  passages 
of  scenery  in  the  national  parks  of  the  West.  Even  at  present,  when 
the  only  means  of  approach  is  by  canal  or  over  the  hilly  detour  by 
which  the  road  is  carried  around  the  most  interesting  scenery,  the 
Washington  public  goes  to  the  Great  Falls  in  sufficient  numbers  to 
maintain  the  pay  bridge  to  the  islands,  erected  by  private  enterprise, 
and  with  increased  facilities  of  access  the  place  is  likely  to  become 
a  deservedly  popular  resort.  The  falls  form  one  of  the  greatest 
cataracts  of  our  Atlantic  watershed,  and  while  they  themselves  can  not 
be  injured,  yet  the  great  trees  that  once  clothed  their  banks  have  been 
cut,  and  in  private  hands  the  surroundings  may  be  so  injured  as  to 
detract  greatly  fiom  the  beauty  and  grandeur  of  the  scene.  Without 
interfering  with  the  future  utilization  of  the  water  power,  the  sur¬ 
roundings  of  the  Great  Falls  on  both  sides  of  the  river  should,  in  our 
opinion,  be  converted  into  a  national  park,  to  be  connected  with  the 
city  by  a  continuous  river  drive. 

The  beauty  of  the  scenery  along  the  route  of  this  proposed  noble 
river-side  improvement  is  so  rare  and,  in  the  minds  of  the  Commission, 
of  so  great  value  not  only  to  all  Washington,  but  to  all  visitors,  Ameri¬ 
can  and  foreign,  that  it  should  be  safeguarded  in  every  way.  No  build¬ 
ing  should  be  allowed  between  the  drives  and  the  river,  and  no  change 
should  come  to  pass  in  the  character  of  the  canal  that  will  tend  to 
transform  its  primitive  character  and  quaint  beauty.  The  canal  has  a 
charm  of  its  own,  as,  half  disclosed  and  half  revealed,  it  winds  among 
the  trees;  and  not  the  least  part  of  this  charm,  so  desirable  to  be  pre¬ 
served,  is  the  slow,  old-fashioned  movement  of  the  boats  and  of  the 
people  on  and  near  this  ancient  waterway.  Already  the  canal  is  used, 
aside  from  the  navigation  of  commerce,  by  pleasure  seekers  in  canoes, 
and  by  excursion  parties  in  various  craft.  More  and  more  will  the 
canal  be  thus  used  as  an  attractive  route  between  the  populous  city 
and  the  natural  charms  of  the  picturesque  region  between  Cabin  John 
Bridge  and  Great  Falls.  The  preservation  and  continuance  of  the 
canal  in  its  original  character  will  thus  add  elements  of  gavety  and  life 
to  a  scene  much  to  be  enjoyed  by  the  passers-by  on  the  neighboring 
and  upper  roadways.  Beyond  the  canal  lies  an  area  of  lowlands,  here 
and  there  bowlder-strewn  and  set  with  clumps  of  trees.  It  is  now 
available  in  part  for  pasture.  As  a  whole  it  is  in  keeping  with  the 


NO.  197.— THE  GREAT  FALLS  OF  THE  POTOMAC  AT  A  LOW  STAGE  OF  THE  RIVER. 

Within  12  miles  of  the  city,  but  inaccessible  except  on  payment  of  an  admission  fee  to  private  owners,  and  entirely  undefended  from  defacement. 


THE  SECTION  WEST  OF  ROCK  CREEK. 


97 


Fort  Kemble  Park. 


uncultivated  hilltops  of  the  Virginia  Palisades,  and  would  best  be  left 
without  formal  treatment. 

One  of  the  boldest  of  the  hills  rising  to  the  north  of  the  Potomac 
Palisades  is  that  occupied  by  Fort  Kemble.  On  account  of  the  extent 
of  its  view  to  the  southward,  and  still  more  on  account 
of  the  beautiful  valley  sloping  toward  the  Potomac 
over  which  this  view  is  to  be  seen,  we  recommend  the  acquirement 
of  a  park  of  about  17-1  acres,  serving  as  a  southern  terminus  of 
Nebraska  avenue  and  connecting  it  by  a  park  drive  in  the  valley  with 
the  road  along  the  Palisades.  The  boundaries  are  fixed  rather 
closely  by  the  need  of  preserving  the  views  intact  and  securing 
border  streets  on  reasonable  grade  without  excessive  cut  and  till. 

On  a  neighboring  hill,  the  site  of  Battery  Parrott  is  but  little  less 
important  as  a  view  point  and  local  park.  Its  boundaries,  including 
an  area  of  about  1.82  acres,  are  fixed  by  the  streets 
of  the  highway  plan  and  include  what  is  needful  to 
preserve  the  best  views. 

To  bring  the  upper  Potomac  into  direct  connection  with  the  city 
and  to  provide  an  approach  from  Georgetown  to  the  Zoological  Park 
Georgetown  Park-  and  Kock  Creek,  a  parkway  is  proposed  from  the  end 
W!,y-  of  Potomac  drive  at  the  valley  of  Foundry  Branch, 

half  a  mile  above  the  Aqueduct  Bridge,  to  Rock  Creek  parkway 


Battery  Parrott. 


near  Massachusetts  avenue. 

The  valley  of  Foundry  Branch  must  be  spanned  by  a  viaduct  a  little 
north  of  the  present  electric  railway  trestle,  and  as  the  valley  is  deep, 
narrow,  and  picturesque,  it  would  be  well  to  preserve  it  as  a  part  of  the 
parkway  between  the  New  Cut  road  and  the  river.  From  this  valley  the 
line  would  cross  the  ridge  upon  the  end  of  which  stands  the  Georgetown 
observatory,  and  run  on  a  direct  line  by  easy  grades  to  the  gap  south  of 
the  Naval  Observatory.  In  passing  through  the  lands  of  Georgetown 
College,  which  are  likely  to  remain  always  agreeable  and  park-like, 
the  width  might  be  reduced  to  the  minimum  requisite  for  a  single 
drive  and  paths.  Beyond  New  Cut  road  the  arrangement  should  be 
similar  to  that  indicated  on  the  alternative  section  for  Rock  Creek 
parkway  on  page  85. 

In  crossing  the  ridge  at  Thirty-fifth  street  and  the  Tenlevtown  road 
the  central  drive  would  be  depressed  below  the  side  streets,  both  for  the 
sake  of  an  easy  gradient  and  in  order  to  pass  beneath  those  two  busy 
streets.  East  of  this  ridge  the  takings  should  widen  out  so  as  to  pre- 


98 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


serve  the  charming  valley  scenery  which  extends  from  this  point  to 
Rock  Creek.  Here  the  parkway  would  be  of  the  type  indicated  in 
section  on  page  86.  A  branch  similar  in  treatment  should  connect 
with  the  Naval  Observatory  grounds. 

The  boundaries  are  so  fixed  as  to  provide  for  border  streets  on  rea¬ 
sonable  grades,  including  the  best  of  the  valley  scenery  and  permitting 
the  construction  of  a  central  drive,  paths,  and  so  forth,  without 
destroying  its  beauty;  but,  in  addition  to  these  absolute  requirements, 
a  projecting  piece  of  land  of  about  13.5  acres  is  included  in  order  to 
provide  a  dignified  and  convenient  entrance  to  the  park  system  from 
U  street,  Georgetown,  and  at  the  same  time  to  afford  a  much-needed 
local  park  and  playground. 


THE  SECTION  EAST  OF  ROCK  CREEK. 


TURNING  from  the  western  to  the  central  section,  it  is  of  the 
utmost  importance  to  secure  an  agreeable  park-like  connec¬ 
tion  between  Rock  Creek  Park  and  Soldiers’  Home  as  bringing 
into  organic  relation  two  of  the  largest  and  most  beautiful  places  of 
recreation  lying  within  reach  of  the  principal  residence  district  of  the 
city,  and  considered  in  relation  to  the  proposed  new  holdings  such  a 
connection  would  form  one  of  the  links  binding  the  eastern  and  the 
western  parks  into  a  comprehensive  system. 

Starting1  from  the  Piney  Branch  entrance  of  Rock  Creek  Park  at  Six- 
teenth  street,  the  line  would  continue  for  some  distance  in  the  valley 
of  Piney  Branch,  thus  taking  advantage  of  one  of  the  most  charming 
passages  of  natural  valley  scenery  in  the  District,  rids  leads  to  the 
grounds  of  the  Municipal  Hospital,  which  will  always  be  maintained 
in  a  park-like  and  attractive  fashion.  Rising  from  the  valley  by  an 
easy  grade  along  the  southerly  side  of  the  hospital  grounds,  which  the 
parkway  takings  would  round  out  and  complete,  the  route  would  enter 
a  formal  plaza  to  be  created  at  the  Seventh  street  entrance  to  the 
hospital,  where  there  will  be  a  convergence  of  streets,  according  to  the 
adopted  highway  plan,  from  eight  different  directions.  Between  this 
point  and  the  Soldiers’  Home  it  would  be  easy  to  form,  by  widening 
Savannah  street,  a  magnificent  formal  boulevard  4,000  feet  in  length, 
terminated  on  the  west  by  the  new  hospital  buildings  and  on  the  east 
by  the  Soldiers’  Home  itself.  While  the  present  buildings  of  the 
latter  do  not  lie  exactly  on  the  axis  of  Savannah  street,  the  projected 
new  building,  if  placed  so  as  to  complete  the  quadrangle  already  par¬ 
tially  formed,  would  come  precisely  at  the  head  of  the  proposed  boule¬ 
vard,  forming,  with  the  hospital,  a  composition  of  great  dignity. 
Swinging  around  the  new  building  of  the  Soldiers1  Home  to  the 

north,  the  continuation  of  the  parkway  would  pass  south  of  the  two 

99 


S.  Rep.  166 - 14 


100 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


cemeteries  and  would  follow  the  valley  along  the  boundary  of  the 
Home  to  Harewood  road.  To  secure  good  grades  and  preserve  the 
beauty  of  the  valley  certain  additional  lands  would  have  to  be  acquired 
and  thrown  into  the  grounds,  compensating  for  some  of  the  boundary 
strips  that  would  elsewhere  have  to  be  taken  from  them.  Following 
Harewood  road  the  parkway  would  skirt  the  beautiful  open  valley  to 
the  west,  and  near  the  southeastern  corner  of  the  grounds  would  turn 
within  the  edge  of  the  woods  into  the  valley  and  follow  its  course, 


No.  17. — Section  of  Savannah  Parkway. 

thus  avoiding  a  grade  crossing  of  the  electric  cars  and  surface  traffic 
of  Michigan  avenue,  which  now  crosses  the  valley  in  till  and  would 
pass  over  the  parkway  by  a  suitable  bridge. 

The  Soldiers'  Home  grounds  are  a  highly  developed  tract  of  land, 
502  acres  in  extent,  heavily  treed  in  some  sections,  and  in  others  hav- 

Souiiers’  Homo  an  open  meadow-like  appearance.  An  extensive 
Grounds.  road  system  is  already  constructed,  and  there  are  a 

number  of  large  buildings.  These  grounds  are  set  apart  as  a  home  for 
old  soldiers  of  the  Regular  Army,  and  are  maintained  out  of  the  pro¬ 
ceeds  of  tines  imposed  for  breaches  of  discipline;  but  by  courtesy  are 
usually  thrown  open  to  the  public,  forming  in  effect  a  most  beautiful 
park.  If  they  were  to  be  considered  simply  from  the  point  of  view  of 
the  casual  visiting  public,  the  grounds  might  be  improved  by  some 
rearrangement  of  the  road  system,  lessening  the  grades  and  doing 
away  with  some  of  the  abrupt  turns  on  certain  main  lines  which 
would  then  attract  the  greater  part  of  the  travel  and  tlm>  relieve  the 
other  roads,  many  of  which,  for  use  by  large  numbers,  are  crooked, 
narrow  and  steep,  although  in  themselves  very  picturesque  and 
attractive.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  future  will  see  the  continuation 


the  NORR'S  PETERf,  CO  .  PHOTOi  'EMO  w/kSHiROTON  O  C. 


I  f  1 


" '  jfc  »/  i  »*ie<  A 


THE  SECTION  EAST  OF  ROCK  CREEK. 


101 


of  the  policy  which  has  been  wisely  followed  in  the  past  of  concen¬ 
trating  the  buildings  at  a  limited  number  of  points,  and  of  keeping 
the  greater  part  of  the  landscape  perfectly  simple  and  not  disturbed 
by  attempts  at  ornamentation. 

At  the  head  of  North  Capitol  street  there  is  opportunity  for  a  very 
grand  formal  entrance,  which  should  take  the  form  of  a  triumphal  arch 
commemorative  of  a  o-reat  soldier  and  statesman. 

On  account  of  its  situation  between  the  Soldiers’  Home  grounds  and 
Howard  Park,  in  the  growing  section  of  the  District,  and  on  account 

Howsird  University  '^s  considerable  expanse  of  water,  forming  an 
Reservoir  element  in  the  Soldiers’  Home  landscape,  the  new 

reservoir  can  be  made  an  important  supplement  to  the  park  system. 
To  that  end  a  small  strip  of  land  should  be  acquired  on  its  western 
side  next  Howard  University,  to  provide  for  a  drive  and  to  afford 
at  least  a  fringe  of  landscape  under  public  control.  The  present 
acreage  is  67.7,  or  with  the  adjacent  filter  grounds  101.7.  The 
proposed  addition  would  be  about  3  acres  in  extent.  The  purchase 
of  another  block  of  land  about  320  feet  square  would  be  desirable, 
in  order  to  connect  Howard  Park  with  the  reservoir,  and  thus  with 
the  Soldiers’  Home  grounds.  Howard  Park  has  a  beautiful  grove 
of  large  oak  trees,  and  if  thus  connected  and  if  provided  with  a 
wider  entrance  from  the  neighboring  Seventh  street,  would  not  only 
be  more  accessible  and  useful  in  itself,  but  would  form  part  of  a 
most  desirable  southwestern  approach  to  the  Soldiers’  Home. 

The  connection  from  Soldiers'  Home  to  the  proposed  park  on  the 
Patterson  property  should  follow  at  first  the  valley  extending  south 


from  Michigan  avenue  toward  Eckington.  This  val- 

Ecklnifton  Parkway.  ,  ,  ..  ..  .  T  .  , 

ley,  now  crossed  diagonally  by  Eincoln  avenue,  is 
charmingly  wooded  for  a  distance  of  half  a  mile,  and  it  should  be 
the  aim  in  fixing  the  boundaries  to  preserve  this  charm.  I  he 
boundary  streets  should  be  so  adjusted  to  the  surface  as  not  to  mar 
what  lies  within  them,  and  the  width  of  taking  should  be  such  that 
the  construction  of  the  central  drive,  if  carefully  planned,  would 
leave  considerable  breadth  of  the  natural  park-like  effect  undis¬ 
turbed.  While  the  width  would  vary,  the  typical  arrangement  would 
be  somewhat  as  indicated  in  the  cross  section  on  page  92,  although 


less  rugged  in  character.  Beyond  the  wooded  portion  of  the  valley, 
the  width  would  lie  somewhat  reduced  and  a  formal  arrangement 
would  be  adopted,  although  following  curved  lines  in  order  to  avoid 


102 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


Patterson  Park. 


abrupt  angles  and  in  order  to  secure  good  grades  without  great 
expense  for  construction.  The  Metropolitan  Branch  Railroad  would 
be  crossed  by  an  overhead  bridge  and  the  parkway  would  join  the 
wooded  portion  of  the  Patterson  property  at  a  high  level,  so  that 
the  continuation  of  the  drive  through  the  park  woods  would  not  be 
complicated  by  the  new  location  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  tracks, 
which  should  pass  under  this  part  of  the  park  by  a  short  tunnel. 

About  a  mile  and  a  quarter  northeast  of  the  Capitol,  just  beyond 
Florida  avenue  and  west  of  the  large  tract  of  finely 
wooded  land  occupied  by  the  Columbia  Institution  for 
Deaf  and  Dumb,  is  a  beautiful  piece  of  land,  formerly  the  Patterson 

estate.  It  is  on  the  edge  of  the 
hilly  section  overlooking  the 
city  proper,  and  its  northern 
part,  high  and  undulating,  is 
covered  with  a  grove  of  large 
old  trees,  from  the  edge  of 
which  there  is  an  inspiring 
outlook  over  the  open  south¬ 
erly  slope  leading  down  to  a 
broad  gentle  pasture  enlivened 
by  a  very  few  outstanding 
trees.  There  is  probably  no 
better  example  in  the  whole 
District  of  the  “park-like’’ 
type  of  landscape,  using  the 
word  in  its  stricter  sense,  and 
its  acquisition  is  desirable  not 
vista,  villa  Aibam,  Rome.  only  for  the  sake  of  its  great 

natural  beauty,  but  because  its  stretch  of  nearly  level  greensward, 
lying  between  Eckington  and  Northeast  Washington,  would  be  of 
the  utmost  value  to  the  future  population  of  the  surrounding  region. 
The  grove  about  the  old  mansion  and  to  the  north  of  it  would  be 

o 

hardly  less  valuable,  for  it  is  of  such  a  character  and  upon  such 
comparatively  gentle  slopes  as  to  adapt  it  to  use  by  large  numbers 
of  people  better  than  any  other  large  piece  of  woodland  available 
for  park  purposes. 

The  wooded  portion  is  crossed  by  the  line  tixed  by  act  of  Congress 
for  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  tracks,  which  would  here  be  55  feet  below 


THE  SECTION  EAST  OF  ROCK  CREEK. 


103 


grade,  and  it  is  very  desirable,  if  the  region  is  to  become  a  park,  that 
the  hill  should  be  tunneled  rather  than  gashed  by  a  wide,  open  cut. 
Parallel  to  the  track  and  about  200  feet  from  it  is  the  line  of  New 
York  avenue,  as  shown  on  the  highway-extension  plans.  If  the  tracks 
are  placed  in  a  tunnel  the  avenue  might  be  diverted  slightly  to  the 
north  around  the  hill  and  made  the  limit  of  the  park,  or  it  might  be 
carried  straight  through  as  a  traffic  street  below  grade  in  a  compara¬ 
tively  narrow  cut  crossed  by  the  park  drives  and  paths  upon  masonry 
arches,  as  is  done  in  the  case  of  the  transverse  streets  in  Central  Park, 


New  York. 

In  the  development  of  the  Patterson  property  as  a  public  park  the 
first  aims  should  be  to  keep  the  open  meadow  and  hillside  landscape 
simple  and  undisturbed,  to  preserve  the  charming  frame  of  woods  upon 
the  east  and  north,  to  create,  by  planting,  a  similar  margin  on  the  west 
and  south,  and  to  preserve  the  sylvan  character  of  the  rest  of  the  estate, 
but  would  be  well  to  set  apart,  in  the  grove  and  in  the  margin  of  the 
open,  certain  limited  areas  for  popular  amusements  other  than  mere 
enjoyment  of  scenery.  It  might  be  well  to  convert  the  interesting  old 
mansion  into  a  sort  of  casino  for  the  sale  of  refreshments  and  for 
other  public  uses. 

Between  the  Patterson  property  and  Mount  Hamilton  there  are  no 
natural  features  of  much  attractiveness  and  a  formal  type  of  parkway 
t  would  seem  to  meet  the  requirements  of  the  case. 

jiouiit  h  urn  i  iron  i 

Parkway.  Two  routes  are  open — to  the  north  or  to  the  south  of 

Mount  Olivet  Cemetery.  Either  would  lie  convenient  and  agreeable, 
but  on  the  whole  that  to  the  north  seems  the  better,  chiefly  because 
of  easier  grades  in  passing  the  base  of  Mount  Hamilton  and  con¬ 
tinuing  on  to  Anacostia  Park.  Here  again  considerations  of  land 
cost  as  ascertained  by  negotiations  with  the  owners  should  largety 
influence  the  final  selection  of  route. 

Mount  Hamilton,  one  of  the  highest  hills  between  the  Anacostia  and 
Rock  Creek,  rises  above  the  general  level  as  a  steep,  isolated  summit, 
Mount  Hamilton  reaching  an  elevation  of  225  feet,  at  a  point  just  east 
Park-  of  the  Bladensburg  road  and  about  three-quarters  of 

a  mile  west  of  the  Anacostia  fiats,  over  which  it  commands  very 
extensive  projects.  In  other  directions,  also,  the  views  are  remark¬ 
ably  good,  especially  across  the  city  in  the  direction  of  the  Capitol,  to 
which  it  is  nearer  than  anv  other  hill  of  such  considerable  height.  It 
is  correspondingly  conspicuous  in  the  views  from  a  large  part  of  the 


104 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


District.  It  is  heavily  timbered  with  a  growth  quite  typical  of 
Southern  mountain  scenery,  which  gives  it,  together  with  its  very 
steep  slopes,  a  distinct,  character,  to  be  found  so  perfectly  nowhere 
else  in  the  District. 

In  addition  to  these  reasons  for  preserving  it  as  a  park,  the  cost  of 
grading  streets  and  cutting  the  land  down  to  a  level  practicable  for 
ordinary  uses  would  be  very  excessive.  In  other  words,  the  place  is 
admirably  adapted  for  park  purposes  and  very  ill  adapted  for  any¬ 
thing  else.  The  area  which  it  is  proposed  to  take  is  indicated  on  map 
No.  D-288,  and  amounts  to  about  119  acres.  The  boundaries  shown 
are  adapted  for  the  construction  of  streets  on  good  grades. 

In  the  development  of  Mount  Hamilton  the  leading  motive  should  be 
to  preserve  and  accentuate  its  peculiarly  mountain -like  character  of 
vegetation  and  surface,  and  to  that  end  paths  and  other  artificial  con¬ 
structions  should  be  reduced  to  the  minimum  compatible  with  its  con¬ 
venient  use  by  the  public.  It  will  probably  be  desirable,  however,  to 
build  a  single  drive  on  a  good  grade,  winding  its  way  through  the 
woods  to  a  concourse  at  the  summit,  where  a  single  white  marble 
pavilion  might  be  erected  to  serve  as  a  shelter  and  to  accentuate  the 
peak  as  seen  from  a  distance. 

A  short  link  of  informal  parkway  should  be  provided  to  connect 
Mount  Hamilton  Park  with  the  area  to  be  reclaimed  along  the  banks 
of  the  Anacostia  River. 


v 


/ 


ANACOSTIA  MARSHES  FROM  BENNING  BRIDGE,  LOOKING  NORTH,  SHOWING  MALARIAL  FLATS  TO  BE  EXCAVATED. 


THE  ANACOSTIA  WATER  PARK. 


THE  present  outrageous  condition  of  the  Anacostia  River  has 
been  so  fully  discussed  before  Congress  in  various  reports  dur¬ 
ing  several  years  that  there  is  no  occasion  for  us  to  describe  it 
in  detail  again.1  Suffice  it  to  say  that  within  the  District  of  Columbia 
the  Anacostia  is  a  fresh-water  estuary  with  a  normal  tide  of  about  3 
feet,  which  alternately  covers  and  exposes  to  the  sun  a  great  area  of 
reeking  mud  flats  upon  which  the  aquatic  plants  constantly  entangle 
additional  deposits  of  mud,  slime,  and  putrifying  organic  matter. 
Those  parts  of  the  bottom  not  exposed  at  low  water  are  for  the  most 
part  shallow  and  support  a  vegetable  growth  that  prevents  a  rapid  and 
cleansing  movement  of  the  tide,  while  above  ordinary  high-water  level 
there  are  broad  marshes  and  meadows  which  are  flooded  at  varying 
intervals,  whenever  the  water  of  the  Potomac  is  raised  by  flood  or  con¬ 
trary  winds  above  its  normal  level,  and  which  retain  after  each  flooding 
innumerable  stagnant  pools.  No  conditions  could  be  more  favorable 
to  the  development  of  malaria,  and  because  of  these  conditions  the 
disease  has  made  havoc  with  the  inmates  and  officers  of  the  Govern¬ 
ment  Hospital  for  the  Insane,  of  the  jail,  and  of  the  workhouse,  and 
with  those  occupied  at  the  navy-yard  and  Washington  Barracks,  all  of 
whom  (several  thousand  hi  number)  are  compelled  by  the  action  of 
the  Government  to  subject  themselves  constantly  to  its  influence — not 
to  mention,  in  addition,  those  unfortunate  private  citizens  who,  for 
one  reason  of  another,  must  live  within  the  great  area  affected  by  these 
deplorable  conditions. 

The  pressing  sanitary  problem  is  simply  to  do  away  with  the  low, 
amphibious  areas  which  are  alternately  flooded  and  exposed,  and  to 
convert  them  either  into  deep  water  or  into  dry  land;  but  incidentally 
the  improvements  may  be/made  to  provide  increased  commercial  water 
frontage,  while  a  part  of  the  reclaimed  lands  may  be  used  as  a  park. 

1  See  report  of  Colonel  Allen  with  references  to  previous  reports. 

105 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


10b 

Plans  and  estimates  for  the  improvement  of  the  river,  with  a  view 
to  commercial  occupancy  below  Bennings  Bridge,  were  prepared  by 
Colonel  Allen  and  submitted  to  Congress  in  1898.  For  the  portion 
above  Bennings  Bridge  the  time  and  the  appropriation  did  not  suffice 
for  complete  surveys  and  estimates,  and  the  possibility  that  this  sec¬ 
tion  would  ever  be  used  for  commercial  frontage,  even  if  improved, 
was  thought  to  be  so  slight  as  not  to  be  worth  considering.  The  plans 
contemplated  the  dredging  of  an  adequate  channel  and  the  tilling  of 
the  remaining  tiats  and  low  land  to  a  level  above  the  highest  freshets, 
Id  feet  above  low  water.  An  alternative  provided  for  tilling  to  a  level 
merely  above  ordinary  high  tide  and  for  excluding  the  higher  floods 
by  dikes.  In  the  upper  section,  above  Bennings  Bridge,  a  similar 
treatment  was  proposed,  but  with  the  channel  widened  into  tidal 
basins,  the  shores  of  which  were  to  be  parked.  As  to  this  section  the 
report  did  not  go  into  detail. 

Coming  to  the  study  of  the  problem  from  a  different  point  of  view, 
with  the  benefit  of  Colonel  Allen’s  investigation,  we  have  devised  a 
slight  modification  of  his  project  which  seems  to  have  several  advantages. 

For  the  commercial  section  of  the  river  we  should  adopt  Colonel 
Allen’s  project  bodily,  except  for  certain  possible  changes  in  the 
lines  of  the  channel  to  meet  altered  conditions,  and  to  throw  more  of 
the  made  land  on  the  valuable  Washington  side.  But  for  the  treat¬ 
ment  above  the  commercial  channel,  in  the  park  section,  it  is  necessary 
to  give  a  separate  explanation.  Pending  a  public  discussion  of  the 
subject,  we  have  assumed  the  line  of  Massachusetts  avenue  as  the 
upper  limit  of  commercial  development.  Coming  at  almost  the  same 
point  as  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  bridge,  its  draw;  would  be  the 
fourth  in  the  wav  of  river  traffic,  and  the  development  of  the  less 
restricted  river  below  those  two  bridges  would  increase  the  water 
front  of  the  city  by  143  per  cent;  or,  if  the  Anacosta  side  be  included, 
by  301  per  cent — enough  to  provide  for  any  probable  development 
without  further  extension. 

The  principle  of  treatment,  however,  which  we  propose  for  the  park 
section  remains  the  same  whether  the  section  begins  at  Massachusetts 
avenue  or  at  Bennings  Bridge.  That  principle  is  to  exclude  the  Poto¬ 
mac  floods  by  a  dam  at  the  head  of  the  commercial  channel,  thus  avoid¬ 
ing  the  necessity  for  raising  the  large  area  of  meadows  now  subject  to 
occasional  overflow. 

The  proposed  dam  would  have  a  permanent  sill  either  at  half  tide 


ANACOSTIA  MARSHES.  SHOWING  ISLANDS  OF  FREE  GROWTH  TO  BE  SAVED  BY  THE  PROPOSED  METHOD  OF  IMPROVEMENT,  FROM  BENNING  BRIDGE, 

LOOKING  NORTH. 


THE  ANACOSTIA  WATER  PARK. 


107 


level  (el.  —  0.61  city  datum),  or  at  high  tide  level  (el. +0.89  city 
datum).  In  the  lirst  case  the  ordinary  tides  would  How  back  and  forth 
across  the  dam.  rising-  at  high  tide  to  el. +0.89,  but  never  falling 
behind  the  dam,  below  el. — 0.61.  In  the  second  case  the  water  behind 
the  dam  would  have  a  constant  level  and  would  be  renewed  by  the  flow 
of  the  Anacostia  River  alone.  Upon  this  permanent  sill  in  either  case 
would  be  erected  movable  gates  or  sections,  l»v  means  of  which  in  time 
of  flood  in  the  Potomac  the  dam  would  be  raised  in  effect  to  elevation 


Oxford— Racing  on  the  Iris. 


11.89,  completely  excluding  the  Potomac  floods  from  the  Anacostia 
basin. 

The  watershed  of  the  Anacostia  itself  is  so  comparativelv  small 
that  its  outflow  could  accumulate  behind  the  dam  for  several  days 
during  such  floods  without  raising  the  level  of  the  ponded  water 
enough  to  give  trouble. 

Between  the  dam  and  the  District  line  practically  all  the  flats  now 
covered  at  ordinary  high  water  would  be  dredged  out  to  a  depth  of  12 
feet,  providing  a  great  basin  or  series  of  basins  of  deep,  clean  water,  the 
dredged  material  going  to  supply  the  additional  tilling  needed  on  the 
commercial  section.  Such  fragments  of  flats  as  were  not  thus  exca- 


108 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


vated  would  be  raised  by  filling  above  ordinary  high-water  mark,  but  the 
greater  part  of  the  meadows,  with  their  numerous  and  beautiful  clumps 
of  trees,  would  not  be  raised,  thus  avoiding  about  500,000  cubic  yards  of 
filling  and  preserving  a  great  deal  of  charming  natural  scenery.  If  the 
summer  flow  of  the  Anacostia  proves  upon  closer  investigation  suffi¬ 
cient  to  replenish  and  renew  the  water  of  these  basins,  the  tide  would 
be  excluded  completely; 1  but,  if  not,  the  half-tide  dam  would  be  adopted 
and  the  water  would  be  refreshed  by  the  regular  ebb  and  flow.  "W  ith 
a  constant  water  level,  or  with  a  tidal  rise  and  fall  of  only  a  foot  and  a 
half,  the  shores  could  be  treated  with  a  natural  looking  gravel  beach 
or  low  stone  shore  in  place  of  a  sea  wall  showing  more  than  12  feet 

hi o-h  above  the  ordinarv  water  level,  such  as  would  be  called  for  if  the 
^  » 

floods  are  not  excluded  by  a  dam.  Such  a  wall,  dignified  and  effective 
in  a  formal  urban  embankment,  would  not  only  be  tedious  and  dreary 
in  appearance  about  a  park  lake  having'  7  miles  of  shore,  but  would 
add  enormously  to  the  cost  of  construction. 

The  result  of  the  proposed  treatment  woidd  be  a  great  lake,  deep 
enough  to  be  clean  and  free  from  vegetation,  refreshed  by  a  sufficient 
flow  of  water,  kept  free  from  mosquitoes  and  malaria  by  its  depth,  by 
the  unobstructed  sweep  of  the  wind,  and  by  its  clean  shores,  and  sur¬ 
rounded  by  natural  meadows  and  groves  that  need  only  to  be  culti¬ 
vated  and  protected  from  inundation  to  become  a  charming  park.  1  he 
lake  would  provide  opportunities  for  boating,  such  as  are  eagerly 
seized  upon  where  they  exist  near  other  great  cities,  and  the  meadows, 
besides  their  landscape  beauty,  would  provide  the  best  of  playing  fields. 
To  protect  and  inclose  this  landscape  and  to  give  points  from  which  it 
could  be  adequately  commanded,  we  should  propose  to  include  the  faces 
and  crests  of  some  of  the  bordering  hills  on  the  A  ashington  side,  one 
of  which  is  already  owned  by  the  District  Reform  School,  while  a  large 
part  of  the  marsh  land  is  claimed  by  the  Government.  The  total  area 
of  the  proposed  park  is  1,113  acres,  of  which  535  would  be  occupied 
by  water.  The  proposed  boundaries,  which  are  indicated  on  the  map 
to  face  page  — ,  are  such  as  to  permit  the  construction  of  border  streets, 
and,  in  fact,  coincide  for  the  most  part  with  the  lines  of  streets  already 
laid  down  upon  the  highway  extension  plan.  In  addition  to  the  border 
streets,  there  would  oe  a  main  drive  within  the  park  on  each  side  of  the 
water,  generally  near  the  boundary,  in  order  to  leave  the  central  area 
unobstructed,  and  in  order  to  keep  upon  higher  ground  overlooking 


'See  report  of  Colonel  Allen  with  references  to  previous  reports. 


THE  ANACOSTIA  WATER  PARK. 


109 


the  meadows  and  the  lake,  but  sometimes  running'  close  along  the  shore. 
Secondary  drives  and  cross  connections  would  be  required  in  places, 
and,  of  course,  a  series  of  paths.  Boathouses,  arranged  so  as  to  accom¬ 
modate  skaters  in  winter,  should  be  important  features  at  the  points 
where  the  park  is  reached  by  main  lines  of  transportation,  and  bathing 
facilities  should  be  freely  provided.1 

At  the  northwesterly  corner  of  the  proposed  Anacostia  park  is  a 
group  of  commanding  hills  occupied  by  the  Boys’  Reform  School.  A 
portion  of  this  land  should  be  transferred  to  the  control  of  the  park 


Henley — A  suggestion  of  Anacostia  Park. 

authorities,  both  on  account  of  the  importance  of  the  hill  in  the  land¬ 
scape  of  the  park  and  because  of  the  view  which  can  be  obtained  from 
it  down  the  Anacostia  Valley.  At  the  southwesterly  corner  a  similar 
transfer  should  be  made  of  a  portion  of  the  city  farm,  which  is  occu¬ 
pied  by  the  jail  and  temporarily  by  the  almshouse.  The  buildings  of 
the  Reform  School  and  of  the  jail  are  few  in  proportion  to  the  area  of 
their  grounds,  and  if  treated  with  due  regard  to  their  appearance  from 
the  park  will  supplement  its  landscape  materially. 

1  See  Appendix  A  on  public  bathing  places. 


THE  FORT  DRIVE. 


THILE  for  the  reasons  already  discussed  no  systematic  series 
/  of  minor  reservations  has  been  selected  for  the  outlying  dis¬ 
tricts,  it  is  necessary  to  mention  the  chain  of  forts  which 
occupied  the  higher  summits  in  the  northern  part  of  the  central  section, 
extending  from  Fort  Stevens,  near  Rock  Creek  Park,  to  Fort  Thayer, 
near  the  Reform  School.  The  views  from  these  points  are  impressive 
in  proportion  to  their  commanding  military  positions,  and  they  are 
well  worth  acquirement  as  future  local  parks,  in  addition  to  any  claim 
their  historical  and  military  interest  may  afford.  The  boundaries, 
shown  upon  map  No.  D-288,  are  ffxed  mainly  with  respect  to  the 
character  of  the  views  from  each  fort  and  the  possibility  and  impor¬ 
tance  of  keeping  them  permanently  open.  The  areas  of  the  proposed 
parks1  are  therefore  somewhat  adjustable,  depending  upon  the  atti¬ 
tude  of  the  landowners. 

To  connect  the  series  advantage  is  taken  of  the  street  laid  out  for 
the  purpose  in  the  highway  plans,  but  it  should  be  increased  to  a  more 
liberal  width  than  now  provided,  which  is  only  90 
feet  between  houses,  the  same  as  H  street  in  the  city. 
With  the  forts  indicated  on  the  map — Stevens,  Totten,  Slemmer, 
Bunker  Hill,  and  Thayer — and  with  such  other  small  parks  and  view 
points  as  may  be  selected  later,  a  northern  park  circuit  of  great 
interest  would  thus  be  formed,  having  views  off  into  the  country  in 
contrast  with  the  principal  inner  circuit  of  larger  parks,  presenting 
views  chiefly  south  toward  the  city. 

In  the  section  east  of  the  Anacostia  a  similar  chain  of  hilltop  forts 
marks  the  points  of  most  commanding  view.  With  the  Anacostia  and 
the  Potomac  below  and  the  city  of  Washington  spread  out  beyond 
and  the  hills  of  Virginia  in  the  distance,  these  are  the  most  beautiful 


The  Eastern  Forts. 


1  Given  in  Appendix  I,  p.  167. 


S,  Rep.  1C 


-15 


111 


112 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


of  the  broad  views  to  be  had  in  the  District.  Forts  Mahan,  Chaplin, 
Sedgwick,  Du  Pont,  Davis,  Baker,  Stanton,  Greble,  and  Battery  Rick¬ 
etts  can  be  linked  together  readily  by  means  of  the  permanent  system 
of  highways  with  a  few  modifications  and  some  widening  into  a  drive 
comparable  in  beauty  with  that  along  the  Potomac  Palisades,  but 
utterly  different  in  character. 

In  connection  with  this  liill-crest  circuit,  starting  from  the  north¬ 
eastern  end  of  Anacostia  Park  and  returning  to  the  shore  of  the  Poto¬ 
mac  at  the  southern  corner  of  the  District,  it  is  important  to  secure 
four  other  areas  of  considerable  extent  in  the  eastern  section. 


/ 


NO.  192.— QUAYS  AND  BRIDGES,  BUDAPEST.  BUDA  SIDE  OF  THE  DANUBE. 


THE  ANACOSTIA  SECTION. 


Directly  on  the  axis  of  Massachusetts  avenue,  extending  from 
the  lowland  near  the  river  to  the  ridge  occupied  by  the  fort 
drive,  is  an  area  of  successive  plateaus  and  ridges  falling  into 
a  curiously  balanced  relation  about  the  line  of  the  avenue.  It  seems 
hardly  likely  that  another  large  park  would  be  needed  so  near  the  pro¬ 
posed  Anacostia  park,  but  the  land  is  so  admirably  adapted  as  a  site  for 


a  large  public  institution  that  it  would  be  a  wasteful  use  of  land  to  cover 
it  with  private  houses  for  which  the  adjacent  ridges  are  just  as  good. 
The  area  which  seems  particularly  adapted  to  such  a  public  purpose,  as 
shown  upon  map  No.  D-288,  is  defined  by  symmetrical  boundary 
streets  upon  good  grades,  with  comparatively  little  cut  or  fill,  and 
amounts  to  about  270  acres — about  the  same  size  as  the  Reform  School, 
the  Government  Hospital  for  the  Insane,  or  the  new  Poor  Farm, 
somewhat  larger  than  the  Columbia  Institution  for  Deaf  and  Dumb, 
and  smaller  than  the  Soldiers’  Home.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  this  land 
will  be  purchased  by  the  Government  while  it  remains  undeveloped 
and  the  opportunity  exists. 

About  2  miles  southwest  of  the  proposed  Hillside  Reservation  the 
valley  of  Stickfoot  Creek  runs  down  from  the  Fort  Drive  on  the 
stickfoot  c  reek  1'idge  to  the  river  at  a  point  opposite  the  navy- 

Parkway.  yard  and  near  Anacostia  Bridge.  The  upper  third  of 

the  valley  is  included  in  the  grounds  of  the  Government  Hospital 
for  the  Insane,  in  the  middle  third  runs  Sheridan  avenue,  following 
the  right  bank  of  the  creek  and  bordered  by  open  land,  and  the  lower 
third  runs  through  open  lowland  and  fiats.  A  parkway  should  be 
provided  for  in  this  valle}T  to  give  convenient  and  agreeable  access  to 
the  Fort  Drive  from  the  Anacostia  Bridge.  The  lower  third,  where 
there  are  no  topographic  features  to  determine  its  character,  should 
be  a  formal  affair,  with  a  central  drive,  parkings,  and  two  side  streets. 
The  central  drive  would  pass  under  Nichols  avenue  and  m  the  middle 


113 


114 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


third  of  the  valle}"  would  follow  the  brook,  with  a  narrow  irregular 
border  of  valley  scenery.  Sheridan  avenue  would  form  one  .side  street 
and  the  opposite  boundary,  as  drawn,  would  provide  for  another, 
rising  gradually  along  the  hillside  so  as  to  reach  the  edge  of  the  plateau 
in  the  upper  third  of  the  valley  on  the  Government  hospital  land. 
The  main  drive  should  connect  with  the  Fort  Drive.  The  land  taken 
from  the  hospital  is  for  the  most  part  entirely  unavailable  for  build¬ 
ing  or  for  cultivation,  while,  with  its  good  tree  growth,  it  would 
provide  a  most  agreeable  approach  to  the  drive  along  the  ridge,  divid- 
ing  it  into  a  northern  and  southern  circuit  of  convenient  length. 

South  of  the  Government  Hospital  for  the  Insane  the  ridge  continues 
nearly  level  to  Fort  Preble  and  Bald  Eagle  Point,  with  a  steep  slope 
all  along  to  the  lowland  along  the  Potomac.  The 

Olesboro  Parkway.  .  ....  , 

views  from  this  ridge  are  so  remarkably  tine,  and  the 
steep  slope  is  so  ill  adapted  to  ordinary  city  subdivision,  that  a  wide 
parkway,  running  nearly  parallel  with  the  present  Giesboro  road,  is 

much  to  be  desired. 
It  should  provide  at 
the  edge  of  the  nar¬ 
row  plateau  a  street 
for  house  frontage, 
together  with  a 
park  drive  and 
paths  commanding 
the  view,  and  it 
should  include  the 
whole  slope  below, 
in  order  to  control 
the  outlook  by  pre¬ 
venting  the  erec¬ 
tion  of  obstructive 
buildings  and  the  too  continuous  growth  of  tall  trees.  The  bounda¬ 
ries  shown  on  map  No.  D-288  not  only  provide  for  these  require¬ 
ments,  but  include  a  very  beautiful  oak  grove  upon  the  plateau, 
on  land  otherwise  as  well  adapted  for  building  as  for  park  purposes. 
At  the  southern  end  a  small  portion  of  the  land  recently  acquired  for 
the  almshouse  should  be  transferred  to  the  parkway,  to  provide  for  a 
connection  between  the  ridge  and  the  shore  of  the  Potomac. 


No.  183.— Terrace,  Venice,  illustrative  of  water-front  treatment  in 
connection  with  a  formal  design. 


NO.  171.— NANTES.  PLACE  OF  THE  DUCHESS  ANNE,  SHOWING  QUAYS  AND  COMPREHENSIVE  TREATMENT  OF  APPROACH 

TO  BRIDGE. 


THE  ANACOSTIA  SECTION. 


115 


Provision  should  be  made  for  the  public  control  of  the  entire  water 
front  from  the  Government  property  at  the  southern  end  of  the  Dis- 
a  m  embank.  trict  to  Anacostia  Park  at  Massachusetts  avenue. 

Along  the  Potomac,  from  Shepherds  Landing  to  Gies- 
boro  Point,  the  shores  are  nearly  level  agricultural  land  10  or  20  feet 
above  the  river.  A  margin  about  200  feet  in  width  should  here  be 
acquired,  with  a  view  to  the  construction  of  a  road  and  such  other 
means  of  making  the  water  front  available  as  the  development  of  the 
back  country  may  ultimately  require. 

Along  the  Anacostia,  from  Giesboro  Point  to  Massachusetts 
avenue,  there  is  a  wide  margin  of  flats  which  must  be  reclaimed  as 
discussed  in  connection  with  the 
Anacostia  Park.  The  greater 
part  of  the  reclaimed  lands  will 
best  serve  the  interests  of  the 
community  if  utilized  for  com¬ 
mercial  purposes  under  private 
ownership,  but  the  portion  in 
front  of  the  Government  hos¬ 
pital  should  be  added  to  the 
grounds  of  that  institution. 

Whatever  disposition  may  be 
made  of  the  reclaimed  land, 
however,  the  embankment  it¬ 
self  and  its  immediate  margin 
should  remain  under  public 
control.  The  final  character  of 
its  improvement  can  well  await 
the  future  development  of  the 
conditions  which  are  to  surround  it,  but  it  is  not  unlikely  that  the 
arrangement  proposed  for  Georgetown  Harbor  (page  Sd),  with 
a  commercial  quay  and  a  separate  high  level  drive  and  esplanade, 
will  prove  desirable  in  the  future  here. 


No.  198.— The  Quays  at  Venice. 


NO.  184.— THE  WASHINGTON  CHANNEL. 


WASHINGTON  EMBANKMENT  AND  POTOMAC  PARK. 


ON  the  Washington  side  of  the  Anacostia  River  it  is  equally 
important  that  the  permanent  public  control  of  the  water 
front  should  be  made  a  part  of  the  channel  improvement  and 
that  a  consistent  comprehensive  project  should  be  adopted  for  its  treat¬ 
ment  in  connection  with  the  improvement  of  the  western  water  front 
along  Washington  channel,  recently  brought  under  public  control  by 
the  decision  of  the  courts.  A  decision  upon  the  method  of  improve¬ 
ment  involves,  in  addition  to  questions  of  appearance  and  expense,  the 
careful  consideration  of  so  many  interests,  private  property  rights, 
the  needs  of  the  navy-yard  and  of  the  school  of  engineers  and  war 
college1  at  the  Washington  Barracks,  and,  above  all,  the  convenience 
of  commerce,  that  the  Commission  is  not  prepared  to  make  a  definite 
recommendation;  but  it  seems  highly  important  that  the  water-front 
improvement  should  be  utilized  to  the  utmost  in  providing  a  southern 
parkway  connection  between  the  Anacostia  section  of  the  District  and 
Potomac  Park,  against  which  the  Washington  embankment  would 
terminate  at  the  northwestern  end  of  Washington  channel  on  the  line 
of  Long  Bridge. 

Potomac  Park  is  a  low-lying  tract  of  land  and  water  about  739  acres 
in  extent,  between  Washington  Channel  and  the  Potomac  River,  it 
is  crossed  at  about  its  center  by  Long  Bridge,  earry- 

Potomac  Park.  >  ' 

ing  the  tracks  of  the  Alexandria  and  \\  ashington 
Railway,  and  also  a  carriage  drive.  It  was  formed  on  a  shoal  in  the 
river  by  the  deposit  of  material  dredged  in  the  ordinary  operations  of 
preserving  and  improving  the  channel.  Its  surface  is  a  few  feet 
above  ordinary  water  level,  but  it  is  submerged  at  times  of  Hood, 

1  The  Secretary  of  War  has  caused  plans  to  be  prepared  for  an  army  war  college 
and  an  engineer  post  and  engineer  school  of  application,  all  to  be  located  at  the 
Washington  Barracks,  at  the  junction  of  the  Potomac  and  Anacostia  rivers  and  bor¬ 
dering  on  the  Washington  channel.  The  contemplated  expenditure  for  the  war 
college  is  $400,000,  and  for  the  engineer  post  and  school  of  application  $860,000. 
(See  House  Doc.  No.  90,  Fifty-seventh  Congress,  first  session.) 


117 


118 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


and  the  engineer’s  plans  contemplate  additional  tilling.  The  greater 
part  of  the  park  is  surrounded  by  a  low  stone  wall,  the  primary 
object  of  which  is  to  retain  the  mud  dredged  from  the  channel. 
This  gives  the  shore  a  rather  formal  appearance,  emphasized  by 
rows  of  poplar  and  willow  trees,  planted  to  bind  the  earth  together. 
Dredging  operations  are  still  carried  on,  and  material  is  being 
deposited  on  the  park  area. 

The  form  and  situation  of  the  land  suggest  at  once  the  landscape  of 
natural  river  bottoms — a  suggestion  that  can  hardly  be  improved  upon 
as  a  guide  in  the  development  of  the  park.  Of  the  many  types  of 
river-bottom  scenery,  the  one  which  seems  best  adapted  to  the  condi¬ 
tions  is  that  of  great,  open  meadows,  fringed  by  trees  along  the  water 
side  and  diversified  by  occasional  outstanding  masses  and  single  trees 
serving  to  focus  the  meadow  area  into  a  series  of  connecting  compo¬ 
sitions  without  completely  obscuring  its  extent.  On  account  of  the 
view  of  the  water  and  the  sweep  of  breezes  through  the  Potomac 
Valley,  the  pleasantest  portion  of  the  park  is  bound  to  be  the  strip 
along  the  river  side.  Here  should  be  carried  the  principal  drive  and 
paths,  running  almost  continually  within  a  long  and  narrow  grove  of 
tall-stemmed  river  trees,  which  will  afford  shade  without  seriously 
obstructing  the  summer  breeze,  which  is  said  to  blow  here  with  more 
frequency  than  at  any  point  within  the  city.  The  central  part  of  the 
area  should  be  kept  as  simple  as  possible,  in  meadows  unbroken  by 
paths  and  roads,  except  for  a  few  cross  connections  devised  to  fit  in 
with  such  occasional  trees  as  the  landscape  calls  for,  while  on  the  side 
toward  Washington  Channel  would  be  another  nearly  continuous  mass 
of  foliage.  If  such  a  treatment  is  adopted  it  will  be  unnecessary  to 
fill  the  whole  area  of  the  park  above  the  level  of  the  extreme  floods, 
for  if  the  sides  were  raised  to  that  level  they  would  serve  as  dikes,  and 
their  slight  elevation  above  the  central  meadow  would  enhance  the 
effect  of  the  landscape,  especially  if  the  inner  slopes  are  made  very 
gradual.  A  similar  treatment  in  respect  to  the  dikes  is  to  be  seen  at 
Budapest,  in  the  park  of  Margaretten-Insel,  in  the  Danube,  where  the 
views  from  the  paths  that  run  along  the  dike  are  very  beautiful,  both 
inward  toward  the  meadow  and  outward  toward  the  river. 

Not  the  least  advantage  of  such  an  extremely  simple  and  absolutely 
informal  landscape  for  Potomac  Park  is  due  to  its  position  next  to 
the  strongly  formal  and  elaborate  scheme  of  the  central  group,  to 
which  it  would  serve  as  a  very  happy  foil  and  contrast. 


NO.  194.— POTOMAC  PARK,  FROM  THE  WASHINGTON  MONUMENT. 


WASHINGTON  EMBANKMENT  AND  POTOMAC  PARK. 


119 


Except  for  a  portion  of  the  shore  growth,  where  young  willows  and 
poplars  are  alread}^  growing,  the  trees  for  Potomac  Park  will  all 
have  to  be  planted,  and  because  of  the  richness  of  the  soil  and  other 
favorable  conditions  the  idea  suggests  itself  that  in  selecting  these 
trees  a  collection  should  be  got  together  that  would  form  a  living 
museum  of  the  greatest  interest;  in  short,  a  National  Arboretum.  In 
considering  this  idea  we  have  felt  that  as  the  land  has  been  set  apart 
as  a  park,  the  first  importance  must  be  given  to  its  perfection  as  a 
beautiful  place  of  recreation;  and  it  is  obvious  that  the  miscellaneous 
introduction  of  a  great  variety  of  trees  of  all  colors,  forms,  and  sizes 
would  utterly  destroy  the  restful  simplicity  of  the  landscape  which  we 
have  described.  Nevertheless,  we  believe  that  it  would  be  possible, 
by  a  wise  choice  and  arrangement  of  species,  to  group  in  the  planted 
area  along  the  easterly  side  of  the  park  a  great  series  of  trees  and 
shrubs  and  herbs  which  should  represent  in  a  synoptic  manner  all  the 
important  types  of  vegetable  life  capable  of  growing  at  Washington, 
and  to  do  so,  by  the  exercise  of  sufficient  care  and  skill,  without  in  any 
degree  injuring  the  character  of  the  dominant  park  landscape.  Such 
a  collection  would  bear  the  same  relation  to  a  theoretically  complete 
botanical  series  that  the  various  collections  exhibited  to  the  public  in 
the  National  Museum  bear  to  the  working  collections  stored  away  in 
drawers  and  boxes  for  the  use  of  specialists,  and  it  would  contain  the 
most  beautiful  and  interesting  species  of  each  important  group. 

It  would  add  a  feature  of  great  interest  and  value  to  the  park  with¬ 
out  interfering  with  its  essential  qualities  of  landscape,  and  we  can 
recommend  this  treatment  as  the  best  provision  for  the  systematic 
botanical  collections  which  this  Government  is  sure  sooner  or  later  to 
maintain,  if  we  may  judge  from  the  experience  of  other  countries.1 

Omitting  the  northern  portion,  which  is  required  for  the  completion 
of  the  Mall  and  its  connections,  the  whole  area  of  Potomac  Park 
should  at  once  be  carefully  laid  out  in  accordance  with  the  above 
general  scheme,  the  proportions  and  forms  of  its  different  open  and 
planted  areas  carefully  studied,  and  the  lines  and  grades  of  roads  and 
paths  worked  out  in  detail  in  conformity  with  these  masses  and  with 
the  necessary  approaches  to  the  new  Long  Bridge  and  railroad  bridge, 
in  order  that  the  tilling  now  going  on  may  be  economically  applied 
toward  a  definite  result. 

1  Appendix  E  on  a  Botanical  Collection. 

S.  Rep.  166 - 16 


Potomac  Park. 


War  College  and  Engineers  School. 


W ash i ngt on  Mon u m e n t . 

PANORAMA  OF  THE  CITY  OF  WASHINGTON  FROM  ANACOSTIA,  TYPICAL  OF  VIEWS  FROM  THE  PROPOSED  RIDGE  PARKS. 


Capitol. 


Library  of  Congress. 


* 


THE  MOUNT  VERNON  ROAD. 


r  I  AHE  great  desirablility  of  connecting  Mount  Vernon  with  the 
|  capital  by  an  agreeable  and  dignitied  approach  was  recognized 

^  by  Congress  in  1889,  when  the  Chief  of  Engineers  was  called 

upon  for  a  survey  and  estimate  for  such  a  national  road;  and  the 
resulting  report  of  Colonel  Hains  (S.  Ex.  Doc.  106,  Fifty-first  Con¬ 
gress,  first  session)  sets  forth  very  clearly  the  various  routes  studied 
at  that  time. 

Although  such  a  road  would  lie  wholly  bevond  the  limits  of  the  Dis- 
trict,  its  importance  as  supplementing  the  park  system  of  Washington 
requires  that  we  should  mention  it  and  again  urge  upon  Congress  its 
great  value.  If  it  were  desirable  merely  on  account  of  the  historic 
associations  with  Mount  Vernon  we  might  hesitate  to  refer  to  it  in 
this  connection,  but  as  a  matter  of  fact  it  would  present  such  a  series 
of  beautiful  views  of  the  broad  portion  of  the  Potomac  Valley  as  would 
give  it  a  priceless  recreative  value  for  the  future  population  of  the 
District  in  addition  to  its  sentimental  value  as  linking  the  nation’s 
capital  with  the  home  of  its  founder. 

After  a  personal  examination  of  the  territory  traversed  by  the  routes 
discussed  in  Colonel  Hains’s  report,  we  have  no  hesitation  in  recom¬ 
mending  his  line  No.  6,  with  a  fewT  minor  modifications,  as  affording 
opportunity  for  the  most  refreshing  and  delightful  drive  to  be  had  in 
any  direction  from  Washington,  and  not  to  be  equaled  at  any  great 
capital  in  the  world.  No  one  who  has  not  climbed  laboriously  by  steep 
hills,  bad  roads,  and  crooked,  untraveled  lanes  to  the  crests  along 
which  this  line  sweeps  can  fully  realize  the  grandeur  of  the  views,  but 
thev  may  be  suggested  by  those  to  be  had  from  Arlington,  from  the 
ridge  road  bevond  Fort  Albanv,  and  from  Mount  Vernon  itself. 

As  stated  in  Colonel  Hains’s  report,  the  lines  were  laid  down  subject 
to  revision,  and  we  have  noted  several  points,  especially  near  Shuters 

Hill,  near  Spring  Bank  Run,  and  at  the  two  ends,  where  upon  more 

121 


122 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


detailed  study  marked  improved  improvements  could  be  secured.  At 
the  northern  end  the  route  would,  of  course,  connect  with  the  Memo¬ 
rial  Bridge.  The  latter,  crossing  from  the  Washington  side  of  the 
Potomac  on  a  straight  line  for  the  Arlington  mansion,  would  lead  to  a 
circle  or  plaza  near  the  base  of  the  hill,  whence  to  the  right  would 
lead  a  drive  curving  up  the  wooded  valley  to  the  mansion  on  the 
height  and  to  the  left  would  reach  oil'  the  Mount  Vernon  road. 

The  terminus  of  such  a  great  national  road  at  Mount  V  ernon  ought 
to  have  the  most  careful  and  sympathetic  study,  for  with  all  its  tre¬ 
mendous  historical  associations  Mount  Vernon  is  not  designed  on  the 
scale  of  a  great  public  monument,  but  on  the  more  delicate,  domestic 
scale  of  a  gentleman's  country  place,  a  character  which  has  been  most 
skillfully  preserved  by  the  Mount  Vernon  Association,  and  which  does 
far  more  to  bring  to  the  visitor  a  feeling  of  the  personal  presence  of 
Washington  than  the  bald  historical  fact  of  his  residence  there.  It 
will  be  no  easy  problem  to  design  a  terminus  dignified  and  adequate 
for  a  broad  national  road  of  pilgrimage  some  15  miles  in  length  and 
to  relate  this  terminus  frankly  to  the  Mount  Vernon  mansion  as  the 
main  object  of  the  pilgrimage  without  intruding  a  discordant  public 
note  into  that  place  which  should  speak  not  of  the  statesman,  but  of 
the  private  gentleman  of  Virginia  who  there  made  his  home. 

At  the  time  Colonel  Hains’s  estimates  were  made  the  necessary  land 
was  reckoned  at  $100  an  acre,  and  formed  a  trifling  part  of  the  cost. 
Although  in  eleven  years  the  land  has  risen  somewhat  in  value  it  is 
still  moderate  in  price,  and  we  should  therefore  recommend  that  in 
those  places  where  the  line  follows  a  hill  crest  commanding  an  excep¬ 
tionally  beautiful  view  sufficient  land  be  taken  upon  the  lower  slopes, 
in  addition  to  the  regular  width  of  the  road,  to  preserve  the  view  per¬ 
manently  from  obstruction.  The  building  of  the  electric  railway 
since  the  submission  of  Colonel  Hains’s  report  has  somewhat  altered 
the  situation,  making  it  extremely  probable  that  there  will  be  further 
increases  in  the  value  of  lands  along  the  route  and  possible  interference 
with  it  by  new  improvements  in  case  all  action  is  delayed  for  several 
years. 

It  therefore  seems  to  us  that  while  the  construction  of  a  great  and 
costly  highway  might  well  be  postponed  till  the  population  of  V  ash- 
ington  comes  to  feel  its  need  more  keenly,  it  would  be  the  part  of 
wisdom  to  secure  the  land  for  such  a  route  without  further  delay. 


CONCLUSION. 


IN  submitting'  their  report  the  Commission  desires  to  make 
acknowledgment  of  their  indebtedness  to  those  persons  who 
have  assisted  in  the  work  of  preparing  the  plans  and  illustra¬ 
tions.  and  who  have  responded  with  enthusiasm  to  the  unusual  demands 
on  their  time  in  order  to  tinish  the  task  within  the  appointed  time. 

To  Mr.  William  T.  Partridge,  under  whose  able  direction  the 
drawings  were  prepared,  and  to  Messrs.  Baer,  Butler,  Chapman, 
Crow,  de  Gersdorff,  Elliott,  Githens,  Harmon,  Johnson,  Kaiser, 
Merz,  Morris,  Mundy,  Shephard,  Trueblood,  Walker,  and  Weekes, 
who  were  associated  with  him  in  this  work,  the  Commission  desires 
to  express  its  sense  of  obligation,  not  only  for  the  skillful  manner 
in  which  the  work  was  executed,  but  for  the  interest  and  untiring 
devotion  which  brought  it  to  successful  completion  within  a  very 
limited  period. 

The  Commission  also  desires  to  make  grateful  acknowledgment  to 
the  artists,  Messrs.  Bacher,  Bacon,  Blum,  Curtis,  Hoppin,  Graham, 
Guerin.  McCarter,  Rodeman,  Ross,  Sears  Gallagher,  and  Percival 
Gallager,  whose  graphic  rendering  of  the  designs  contributes  so 
largely  to  an  intelligent  understanding  of  the  work  of  the  Commission. 

In  the  compilation  of  maps,  plans,  and  other  data  in  regard  to 
parks  and  the  existing  conditions  throughout  the  District,  in  the 
study  of  the  ground  for  the  selection  of  proposed  park  areas,  in 


preliminary  studies  for  the  treatment  of  all  the  areas  considered, 
and  in  the  preparation  of  its  plans  for  publication,  the  Commission 
has  had  the  invaluable  help  of  Mr.  James  G.  Langdon,  assisted  in 
part  by  Mr.  R.  A.  Outhet  and  Mr.  E.  A.  Douglas. 

Very  respectfully, 

Daniel  H.  Burnham. 

Charles  F.  McKim. 

Augustus  Saint  Gaudens. 

Frederick  Law  Olmsted,  Jr. 

To  Hon.  James  McMillan, 

Chairman  Senate  Committee 

on  the  District  of  Columbia. 


123 


APPENDICES. 


NO.  176.— REVERE  BEACH,  NEAR  BOSTON.  WHAT  THE  PEOPLE  THINK  OF  ITS  VALUE. 


APPENDIX  A.— PUBLIC  BATHING  PLACES 


ONE  of  the  most  enjoyable  and  health-giving  recreations  for  the 
people  in  a  place  with  a  hot  summer  climate  is  bathing,  espe¬ 
cially  open-air  swimming;  but  the  natural  facilities  for  it  in 
Washington  are  not  good.  Sea  bathing  is  unattainable  within  a  rea¬ 
sonable  distance,  while  the  shallowness  of  the  small  streams  and  the 
muddiness  and  disagreeable  banks  of  the  Potomac  and  Anacostia  do 
not  make  the  fresh-water  bathing  attractive.  In  spite  of  these  difficul¬ 
ties  there  is  a  good  deal  of  unregulated  bathing  in  retired  places  out 
of  sight  of  the  police,  and  the  entirely  inadequate  temporary  provision 
for  bathing  in  the  basin  of  Potomac  Park  is  very  largely  used. 

^  hen  a  city  has  any  place  on  sea  or  lake  or  river  that  is  naturallv 
well  fitted  for  bathing,  the  popular  appreciation  of  it  quickly  builds  up 
some  means  of  using  it  conveniently.  Private  enterprise  erects  bath 
houses  and  supplies  bathing  nits  and  towels  in  order  to  profit  by  the 
obvious  public  demand.  Eu_  when,  as  at  Washington,  there  are  no 
natuial  facilities  for  bathing,  the  public  demand  is  seldom  sufficientlv 
apparent  to  lead  private  enterprise  into  the  large  investment  necessary 
to  create  good  bathing  arrangements.  At  Richmond,  Va.,  recently,  a 
pi  bate  company  built  as  a  business  venture  a  larg'e  open-air  swimming 
basin,  lined  with  concrete,  supplied  with  filtered  water  purchased  from 
the  city,  and  surrounded  by  dressing  rooms  and  shelters;  but  usually 
such  undertakings  are  too  uncertain  in  their  financial  outcome  to 
atti  act  private  capital,  and  therefore  when  a  city  lacks  natural  advan¬ 
tages  for  bathing,  it  usually  becomes  necessary  for  the  municipality  to 
deal  with  the  problem. 

The  public  bathing  establishments  which  abound  in  European  cities 
and  in  many  of  our  own  may  be  divided  roughly  into  three  classes. 

I  he  first,  and  perhaps  the  most  important,  includes  those  intended  for 
the  poorer  people,  who  suffer  most  from  the  summer  heat,  who  most 

125 


126 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


need  the  healthful  refreshment  of  the  bathing,  who  can  not  go  out  of 
the  city  to  get  it,  and  who  can  afford  to  pay  little  or  nothing  for  it. 
The  establishments  of  this  class  are  free  or  open  upon  an  almost  nom¬ 
inal  charge — 1  cent,  2  cents,  or  at  the  most  sometimes  5  cents.  The 
commonest  type  is  the  floating  bath,  a  great,  wooden,  scow-like  affair, 
built  around  four  sides  of  an  oblong  space,  which  has  a  perforated 
flooring  a  few  feet  below  the  surface  of  the  water.  The  scow  serves 
as  a  platform  round  the  bath  and  supports  the  dressing  rooms  or  lock¬ 
ers,  which  with  a  high  board  fence  inclose  the  whole  affair.  The  water 
space  is  sometimes  roofed  over  and  sometimes  open.  These  floating 
baths  are  anchored  next  the  shore  in  river  or  harbor  at  convenient 
points  during  the  summer  months. 

Another  form  differs  only  in  being  built  on  piles  or  on  permanent 
piers  running  out  from  the  shore,  and  is  sometimes  open  on  the  outer 
side  when  the  opposite  shore  is  distant  and  no  near  passing  vessels 
would  be  annoyed  by  the  sight  of  the  bathing;  for  in  establishments 
of  this  class,  in  which  the  sexes  are  always  separated,  the  bathers  are 
commonly  nude,  to  their  own  greater  comfort  and  enjoyment  as  well 
as  for  economy  and  simplicity  of  operation  and  maintenance.  The 
bathers  bring  their  own  towels  and  bathing  suits,  if  they  wish  them, 
and  are  only  provided  with  small  dressing  closets  or  mere  lockers  in 
which  to  place  their  clothes.  The  running  expenses  are  very  low  and 
the  value  to  the  people  is  such  as  to  justify  the  establishment  of  such 
bathing  places  at  several  points  along  the  water  front  where  they  can 
be  conveniently  reached  from  different  quarters  of  tin1  city.  The  con¬ 
struction  of  bathing  places  of  this  type  should  be  very  simple  and 
inexpensive,  but  the  arrangements  should  be  carefully  thought  out  so 
as  to  make  them  absolutely  convenient,  and  the  regulations  should  be 
kept  as  simple  as  possible  and  contrived  with  a  studious  regard  for  the 
habits,  tastes,  and  prejudices  of  the  bathers  in  order  to  encourage  the 
use  of  the  baths  at  the  season  when  no  one  is  inclined  to  exert  himself 
to  overcome  difficulties. 

The  second  class  of  establishments,  which  have  usually  grown  up  at 
beaches  where  the  bathing  is  naturally  good,  afford  more  convenient 
dressing  arrangements,  supply  towels  and  bathing  suits,  and  provide 
for  open-air  bathing  of  what  might  be  called  a  social  sort  under  pleas¬ 
ant  surroundings,  in  view  of  the  public,  for  large  numbers  of  both 
sexes.  The  bathers  are  charged  an  amount  which  generally  varies 
between  10  and  25  cents,  according  to  the  accommodations  furnished, 


NO.  189.— SWIMMING  POOL,  GARFIELD  PARK,  CHICAGO. 


NO.  188.— REVERE  BEACH  PUBLIC  BATH  HOUSE,  NEAR  BOSTON. 


APPENDIX  A. - PUBLIC  BATHING  PLACES. 


127 


and  although  the  location  is  often  somewhat  remote  from  the  cen¬ 
ter  of  population  the  patronage  is  always  large  and  profitable  upon 
Sundays  and  holidays  in  hot  weather.  It  is  only  under  very  favorable 
circumstances,  however,  that  private  enterprise  can  afford  to  provide 
thoroughly  adequate,  convenient,  and  sanitary  arrangements,  because 
the  attendance  is  extremely  irregular  and  will  not  pay  interest  on  a 
costly  plant  at  moderate  rates  of  charge. 

For  these  reasons,  and  because  of  the  difficulty  of  regulating  the 
sanitary  and  moral  conditions  of  such  private  places,  municipalities 
lic  b  th  ReTere  have  in  many  instances  provided  their  own  public  bath 
Beach,  Massachusetts,  houses  of  this  class.  The  best  example  is  probably 
that  at  Revere  Beach  near  Boston,  under  the  control  of  the  Metro¬ 
politan  Park  Commission  of  that  city,  shown  in  the  accompanying 


Public  Bath,  Town  of  Brookline,  Mass. 

illustrations.  Since  the  date  of  the  illustrations  the  accommodations 
have  been  considerably  enlarged  to  meet  public  demand,  and  now 
include  1,700  separate  dressing  rooms  within  inclosed  yards  for  men 
and  for  women,  flanking  a  central  brick  administration  building. 
This  contains  offices  where  keys,  suits,  and  towels  are  given  out  and 
valuables  stored,  toilet  arrangements,  an  emergency  room,  and  the 
like.  It  is  supplemented  by  a  building  containing  a  police  station  and 
a  laundry,  where  the  suits  and  towels  are  washed,  sterilized,  and 
repaired.  To  economize  space  additional  provision  is  now  being 


128 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMRIA. 


made  for  a  general  locker  room,  for  hoys  who  do  not  care  for  sepa¬ 
rate  dressing  rooms,  where  the  charge  will  be  10  cents,  instead  of  25 
as  for  adults  having  private  rooms. 

During  the  summer  of  1900  the  bath  house  was  used  by  153,299 
bathers,  with  a  maximum  number  in  one  day  of  7,529.  The  running 
expenses  were  $22,381.17,  and  the  receipts  were  $34,374.30,  leaving  a 
surplus  of  $11,993.13  applicable  to  repairs  and  extensions.  The  total 
cost  of  land  takings  for  control  of  the  beach  has  been  $1,117,778.29, 
and  the  total  cost  of  buildings,  roads,  and  other  constructions  and  mis¬ 
cellaneous  expenses  during  five  years  has  been  $504,055.62.  It  is  uni¬ 
versally  conceded  that  these  large  sums  have  been  well  invested  and 


Public  Bath,  Town  of  Brookline,  Mass. 

are  bringing  adequate  returns  to  the  people  in  relief  and  refreshment 
during  the  heated  term;  but  if  this  is  true  in  Boston,  where  the  sum¬ 
mer  heat  is  greatly  mitigated  by  the  cool  ocean  breezes  and  where 
there  are  numerous  seashore  resorts  within  easy  reach,  it  is  manifest 
that  the  benefit  to  Washington  of  similar  facilities  would  be  in  propor¬ 
tion  to  its  population  immeasurably  greater. 

A  third  class  of  public  bathing  places,  as  yet  not  very  greatly 
developed  in  this  country,  is  that  of  inclosed  swimming  pools  and  other 
Public  bath,  Brook-  baths  for  winter  use.  These  have  been  provided  for 
line,  mhns.  some  years  on  a  limited  scale  in  the  larger  cities  by 

private  enterprise  and  are  to  be  found  in  a  number  of  athletic  clubs 


APPENDIX  A. - PUBLIC  BATHING  PLACES. 


129 


and  gymnasia,  but  it  is  only  recently  that  municipalities  on  this  side 
of  the  water,  recognizing  the  value  of  such  baths  to  the  health  of  the 
community,  have  begun  to  erect  them  as  public  institutions.  New 
York  led  the  way,  and  a  few  other  places  have  already  followed 
the  example.  The  accompanying  illustrations  show  the  public  bath 
erected  in  1896  by  the  town  of  Brookline,  Mass.,  at  a  cost  of  $50,000. 
Besides  other  baths  and  dressing  rooms  it  contains  a  swimming  basin, 
80  feet  by  26  feet,  supplied  with  a  steady  flow  of  fresh  water  and 
kept  at  a  uniform  temperature.  It  is  used  on  different  days  of  the 
week  by  men  and  by  women  at  a  charge  of  5  to  15  cents  for  residents 
and  25  cents  for  nonresidents,  and  one  day  is  reserved  for  the  use 
of  a  swimming  club  of  limited  membership.  The  running  expenses 
during  1900  were  $7,994.10;  the  receipts,  $6,151.50,  and  the  number 
of  bathers,  51,453. 

As  mentioned  in  the  body  of  the  report,  we  believe  that  open-air 
bathing  places  of  the  second  class,  although  on  a  much  smaller  scale 
than  at  Revere  Beach,  should  be  provided  in  the  improvement  of  the 
Anacostia,  and  we  believe  that  there  will  be  ample  justification  before 
long  for  an  important  establishment  of  this  sort  near  the  present  bath¬ 
ing  place  in  Potomac  Park,  in  connection  with  the  development  of  the 
central  group  of  parks.  Ultimately  there  might  be  good  opportunitv 
to  develop  at  the  same  point  a  winter  bathing  place  of  the  third  class. 

S.  Rep.  166 - 17 


I 


? 


APPENDIX  B.— RELATION  OF  THE  ANACOSTIA  DAM  TO 

TIDAL  SCOUR. 


1 


\  S 

V 


SIDE  from  the  question  as  to  whether  the  summer  current  of 
the  Anacostia,  unassisted  by  a  tidal  ebb  and  flow,  is  sufficient 
to  maintain  the  basins  above  the  proposed  dam  without  dan¬ 
ger  of  stagnation,  there  is  another  objection  which  might  be  raised 
against  any  interference  with  the  normal  tidal  movement  bv  a  dam 
namely,  that  it  would  reduce  the  scouring  current,  which  would  other¬ 


wise  tend  to  prevent  silting  in  the  commercial  channel  lower  down. 

I  he  general  theory  of  tidal  scour  has  been  made  a  subject  of  special 
study  by  the  United  States  engineer  officers  in  charge  of  harbor  and 
river  improvements,  and  its  application  to  the  problem  of  the  Anacos¬ 
tia  can  be  most  safely  worked  out  by  them;  but  without  assuming  any 
intimate  technical  knowledge  of  the  matter  we  will  state  the  special 
facts  bearing  on  this  case: 


The  water  of  the  Potomac  always  carries  a  large  amount  of  silt, 
which  begins  to  settle  on  the  bottom  whenever  the  current  ceases  to 
move  rapidly.  The  slower  the  current  the  more  silt  is  deposited. 

When  at  the  head  of  any  channel  there  is  a  large  basin,  over  the 
whole  area  of  which  the  water  must  rise  and  fall  at  every  tide,  a  corre¬ 
spondingly  large  volume  of  water  must  pass  in  and  out  through  the 
channel  at  every  tide,  and  the  amount  of  water  passing  in  or  out 
through  a  limited  opening  during  the  few  hours  that  the  tide  runs  in 
one  direction  obviously  determines  the  speed  of  the  current.  If  the 
basin  be  doubled,  about  twice  as  much  water  must  pass  through  the 
opening  in  a  given  time  and  it  must  move  about  twice  as  fast  to  do  it. 
If  the  proposed  basins  on  the  Anacostia  above  Massachusetts  avenue 


could  be  made  of  sufficient  area  and  the  tide  were  allowed  to  flow  freely 
in  and  out.  it  is  clear  that  the  current  could  be  made  swift  enouo-h  in  the 

o 

lower  channel,  first  up  and  then  down,  to  keep  the  silt  always  stirred 
up  so  that  none  of  it  would  settle  on  the  bottom  and  no  dredging 
would  be  required  to  maintain  the  channel.  That  is  the  theoretically 
perfect  condition  of  tidal  scour,  as  we  understand  it. 

But,  while  the  conditions  would  be  perfect  in  the  channel,  in  the 


131 


132 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


broad  basin  above  there  would  be  practically  no  current  and  the  depo¬ 
sition  of  silt  would  take  place  there  very  rapidly. 

If,  on  the  other  hand,  by  the  construction  of  a  dam  at  Massachusetts 
avenue,  the  channel  were  brought  practically  to  a  dead  end  at  that 
point  its  upper  portion  would  be  in  substantially  the  same  condition  as 
the  whole  basin  under  the  first  arrangement,  that  is,  without  current, 
and  the  deposition  of  silt  would  take  place  there  very  rapidly.  The 
lower  end  of  the  channel  would  have  some  current,  though  much  less 
than  before.  On  the  average,  then,  the  channel  would  have  a  com- 
parativelv  sluggish  current,  and  silt  would  be  deposited  throughout  its 
length  only  a  little  less  rapidly  than  in  the  basin  under  the  first 
arrangement.  As  the  area  of  the  channel,  however,  is  very  small  as 
compared  with  that  of  the  basin,  the  total  amount  of  silt  deposited 
within  it  must  be  but  a  small  fraction  of  that  deposited  upon  the  exten¬ 
sive  bottom  of  the  basin  under  the  first  plan. 

When,  as  often  happens,  a  tidal  basin  can  be  cheaply  provided  and 
no  important  interests  are  affected  if  it  becomes  gradually  shoaled,  it 
is  obviously  wise  to  avoid  the  necessity  for  constant  channel  dredg¬ 
ing  by  its  use;  but  where,  as  on  the  Anacostia,  the  basin  must  be 
first  dredged  out  and  then,  for  sanitary  reasons,  maintained  by  dredg¬ 
ing  at  a  constant  depth,  it  would  appear  to  be  more  economical  in 
the  long  run  to  keep  the  silt  from  flowing  into  the  basin  at  all  and 
to  confine  the  future  maintenance  dredging  to  the  much  smaller  area 
of  the  channel,  where  it  will  be  assisted  by  at  least  some  tidal  current. 

So  far  as  the  silt  of  the  Anacostia  River  itself  is  concerned,  although 
for  its  size  a  very  turbid  stream,  the  material  which  it  carries  in  sus¬ 
pension  is  not  large  in  total  amount  and  is  comparatively  coarse,  and 
it  would  therefore  be  deposited  in  the  first  still  water  at  the  head  of 
the  basin,  whence  it  could  be  removed  from  time  to  time  as  necessary. 

Thus,  if  the  muddy  tide  of  the  Potomac  should  be  excluded  com¬ 
pletely  from  the  basin,  not  only  would  the  total  maintenance  dredging 
for  the  system  be  less  and  the  park  lakes  be  free  from  the  objection¬ 
able  and  inconvenient  tidal  fluctuation,  but  the  water  would  be  clear 
and  clean  instead  of  constantly  muddy.  The  possibility  of  attaining 
this  result  appears  to  depend,  as  stated  in  the  body  of  the  report,  upon 
whether  tin*  summer  flow  of  the  Anacostia  is  sufficient  to  supply  the 
evaporation  from  the  large  lake  surface  and  furnish  a  surplus  for  the 
renewal  of  the  water.  On  this  point  the  Commission  has  been  unable 
to  obtain  sufficiently  reliable  data  upon  which  to  base  a  conclusion. 


APPENDIX  C.—  A  LETTER  RELATIVE  TO  THE  PROPOSED 
TREATMENT  OF  ANACOSTIA  PARK. 


35  Fairview  Avenue,  South  Orange,  N.  J., 

November  29,  1901. 


EAR  SIR:  Referring1  to  the  questions  relative  to  the  proposed 


establishment  of  a  water  park  at  Washington,  D,  C.,  whieh 


were  under  discussion  at  the  interview  with  the  Park  Com¬ 
mission  at  the  Capitol  in  October,  1  beg  leave  to  state  that  Colonel 
Allen  requested  me  (inasmuch  as  the  surveys  and  the  preparation  of 
the  plans  for  the  Anacostia  River  improvement  had  been  placed  by 
him  in  my  immediate  charge)  to  take  up  the  consideration  of  the  ques¬ 
tions  in  reference  to  which  you  desired  suggestions  and  to  write  you 
in  regard  to  the  same. 

The  desirability  of  the  establishment  of  a  water  park  in  the  upper 
partof  the  Anacostia  basin  seems  to  me  to  be  beyond  question.  When 
the  project  for  the  proposed  Anacostia  improvement  was  under  con¬ 
sideration  in  1898  we  were  confronted  with  the  problem  of  reclaiming 
or  utilizing  in  some  wav  the  wide  area  of  Hats  and  marshes  lying 
between  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Bridge  and  the  District  line.  The 
extreme  upper  limit  of  commercial  development  of  the  river  desirable 
seemed,  at  that  time,  to  be  Benning  Bridge,  on  a  main  line  of  travel, 
but  even  then  I  was  very  doubtful  about  the  practicability  or  advisa¬ 
bility  of  using  any  part  of  the  wide  flats  just  below  Benning  Bridge 
and  west  of  the  river  channel,  when  reclaimed,  for  residential  purposes, 
for  they  consist  of  the  lightest  alluvium  and  are  saturated  with  sewage. 
Between  Benning  Bridge  and  the  District  line  conditions  seemed  to 
require  some  form  of  park  development,  and  with  this  view  I  made 
studies  for  lakes  with  curved  shore  lines,  which  we  termed  tidal  reser¬ 
voirs,  working  on  the  basis  of  balancing  the  cut  and  fill,  the  reservoirs 
to  he  so  arranged  that  they  might  be  utilized  in  any  possible  future 
park  development  and  at  the  same  time  serve  to  impound  tidal  water 


133 


134 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


to  aid  in  the  maintenance  of  the  navigation  channels  of  the  river  below. 
Owing  largely  to  the  lack  of  funds  and  available  time,  it  was  found 
impracticable  to  develop  this  part  of  the  project  at  that  time,  and 
therefore  it  was  left  open  and  referred  to  only  in  a  brief  and  general 
way  on  page  12  of  the  report.  The  plan  of  the  Commission  for  the 
establishment  of  a  water  park  on  this  part  of  the  Anacostia  will,  there¬ 
fore,  not  only  not  conflict  in  any  way  with  the  proposed  river  im¬ 
provement,  but,  on  the  contrary,  furnishes  a  most  happy  solution  of 
the  difficulty  in  the  treatment  of  the  wide  area  of  flats  here  found. 

The  channel  improvement  proposed  for  the  Anacostia  had  two 
objects  in  view— (1)  a  channel  sufficient  to  meet  the  needs  of  naval  ves¬ 
sels  from  the  mouth  to  Navy-Yard  Bridge,  and  (2)  a  sufficient  channel 


for  commercial  vessels  loaded  with  lumber,  building  materials,  coal, 
etc.,  destined  for  the  northeastern  section  of  the  city.  Washington  is 
not  a  manufacturing  city,  however,  and  so  much  heavy  freight  is  now 
carried  by  rail  that  the  needs  of  this  part  of  the  city,  in  the  matter  of 
water  transportation,  would  probably  be  sufficiently  met  if  the  16-foot 


channel  proposed  above  the  Navy-Yard  Bridge  had  its  upper  terminus 
at  the  line  of  Massachusetts  avenue  extended,  which,  as  I  recall,  is  the 
proposed  lower  limit  of  the  water  park.  1  his  arrangement  would 
have  the  advantage  that  the  proposed  bridge  on  the  line  of  Massa¬ 
chusetts  avenue  extended,  could  be  made  much  simpler  in  character 
and  less  expensive. 


The  question  as  to  whether  the  tide  should  be  allowed  to  ebb  and 
flow  in  the  lakes  of  the  water  park  is  one  of  considerable  importance. 
All  the  authorities  agree  that  the  tidal  prism  of  such  a  river  should  be 
preserved  in  order  to  maintain  the  integrity  of  the  channels  below. 
I  made  computations  on  this  point  and  found  that  with  the  improve¬ 
ment  proposed  in  the  report  of  1898  the  tidal  prism  would  be  inade¬ 
quate  to  maintain,  in  the  channels  proposed  below  Navy-lard  Bridge, 
a  velocity  sufficient  to  prevent  silt  deposit,  and  if  the  tidal  flow  be 
excluded  from  the  water  park  these  adverse  conditions  would,  of 
course,  be  increased.  At  the  same  time  I  am  aware  that  from  a  land¬ 
scape  point  of  view  the  rise  and  fall  of  the  tide  presents  practical  diffi¬ 
culties  in  the  maintenance  of  a  neat  shore  line.  In  the  tidal  reservoir 
of  Potomac  Park  we  built  a  masonry  wall  with  a  considerable  batter, 
which  served  well,  a  slope  wall  having  been  found  unsatisfactory. 
With  Potomac  River  water,  a  sand  or  gravel  beach  would  soon  become 
covered  with  silt  and  be  unsightly.  To  my  mind,  however,  there  is 


APPENDIX  C. 


PROPOSED  TREATMENT  OF  ANACOSTIA  PARK.  135 


nothing  comparable  to  a  clean-cut  line  of  contact  between  the  water 
surface  of  the  lake  and  the  grass  slopes  of  the  shore,  which  can,  of 
course,  only  be  secured  by  impounding  the  water  at  a  fixed  level. 
This,  however,  would  probably  be  impracticable,  by  reason  of  the 
probable  contamination  of  the  fluvial  waters  of  the  Anacostia  above 
the  District  limits  by  the  discharge  into  the  stream  of  its  tributaries  of 
raw  or  partially  treated  sewage,  which  conditions  would  undoubtedly 
render  the  impounded  water  unhealthful,  if  not  offensive.  It  would, 
probably,  be  needful,  therefore,  to  provide  for  the  ebb  and  flow  of  the 
tide,  at  least  between  half  tide  and  high  tide,  in  order  to  secure  a  suffi¬ 
cient  circulation  of  water.  The  channels  below  can,  of  course,  be 
maintained  by  dredging,  which  would  probably  be  needed  to  some  extent 
even  if  no  part  of  the  tidal  prism  were  impounded.  It  is  suggested 
that  a  level  of  high  tide  (3  feet  above  low  tide)  would  be  most  conven¬ 
ient  for  the  maximum  water  line  of  the  lakes. 

As  the  tides  in  the  Potomac  often  rise  to  a  height  of  4  to  5  feet  under 
the  influence  of  easterly  winds,  provision  would  need  to  be  made  for 
excluding  these  higher  tides  as  well  as  freshets,  for  which  purpose  an 
earthen  embankment  or  dam,  with  suitable  sluiceways  and  gates,  would 
suffice.  Such  an  embankment  might  be  built  along  the  line  of  Massa¬ 
chusetts  avenue,  and  serve  also  as  a  roadway  in  lieu  of  the  proposed 
bridge,  the  sluiceways  passing  under  the  roadway.  The  top  of  the 
embankment  would  need  to  have  a  minimum  grade  of  14  feet  above 
low  tide  to  be  secure  against  the  backwater  of  freshets,  but  the  park 
areas  might,  it  is  suggested,  have  a  general  level  of  6  feet  above  low 
tide  and  be  efficiently  drained,  inasmuch  as  the  Potomac  freshets  do 
not  reach  their  maximum  height  until  some  two  or  three  days  after  the 
local  rains  have  ceased. 

During  my  connection  with  the  Potomac  River  improvement,  dating 
from  the  inception  of  the  work  in  1882  and  continuing  to  1899,  I 
made  a  special  study  of  the  various  physical  conditions  appertaining 
to  the  river  and  the  reclamation  of  its  flats,  and  it  may  be  that  there 
are  other  points  on  which  I  can  give  you  information  or  make  some 
suggestion.  If  this  should  be  the  case,  I  shall  be  glad  to  be  of  service 
to  you. 

Very  truly,  yours,  John  B.  Duncklee, 

Civil  Engineer . 

Mr.  Frederick  Law  Olmsted,  Jr. 


V 


APPENDIX  P.— A  COMPARISON  OF  ALTERNATIVE  PLANS 
FOR  THE  TREATMENT  OF  ROCK  CREEK  VALLEY. 


FIRST.  To  build  a  large  covered  masonry  culvert  or  sewer  for  the 
creek,  and  to  till  around  and  over  this  structure  so  as  to  oblit¬ 
erate  the  valley  and  raise  it  to  the  level  of  the  adjacent  lands; 
constructing  a  parkway  or  boulevard  upon  a  portion  of  the  tilled  land 
and  subdividing  the  remainder  into  streets  and  lots  for  sale.1 

Second.  To  improve  the  present  open  channel  of  the  creek,  regrade 
its  banks,  and  improve  them  for  park  purposes,  and  to  construct  roads 
and  paths  within  the  park  thus  formed,  spanning  the  valley  by  fre¬ 
quent  street  bridges  to  provide  close  connection  with  Georgetown.  2 
The  arguments  for  and  against  each  of  these  plans  may  be  divided 
into  considerations  of  expense  and  considerations  of  direct  benefit  to 
the  community. 

As  the  question  of  cost  is  merely  comparative  we  need  not  discuss 
those  items  which  would  be  substantially  the  same  in  either  case.  I  he 
most  important  of  these  are  the  cost  of  land  taken,3  the 
cost  of  intercepting  sewers,4  and  the  cost  of  roads  and 
other  surface  features  of  the  parkway. 

The  great  expense  of  the  first  plan  lies  in  the  covered  waterway, 
which  is  estimated  in  Captain  Rossell's  report  at  $2,358,925,  and  the 


Relative  expense. 


'  Discussed,  except  as  to  construction  of  parkway,  in  Sen.  Mis.  Doc.  No.  21,  Fifty- 
second  Congress,  second  session. 

2  Proposed  by  committee  of  Washington  Board  of  Trade,  December  15,  1899.  See 
Park  Improvement  Papers  No.  7,  Appendix  I. 

3  The  valley  area  which  would  have  to  be  taken  for  carrying  out  the  improvement 
would  be  about  the  same  in  either  case,  but  in  the  case  of  the  covered  channel  a 
portion  of  it  could  afterwards  be  sold,  as  allowed  for  later. 

4  Whether  the  channel  is  open  or  covered,  intercepters  must  be  built  to  take  the 
sewage.  Senate  Mis.  Doc.  No.  21,  52:2,  p.  10.  These  are  now  built  in  part. 

137 


138 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


filling  and  grading  at  $1,752,424,  amounting,  with  proportionate  con¬ 
tingencies  of  $411,134,  to  a  total  of  $4,522,483. 1 

The  corresponding  expenses  under  the  open-valle}7  plan  have  been 
approximately  estimated  at  $100,000 2  for  the  improvement  of  the 
channel,  $230,000 3 4  for  excavation  and  grading,  and  $200,000  for  retain¬ 
ing  walls,  etc.,  amounting,  with  $53,000  contingencies,  to  a  total  of 
$583,000. 

To  these  preliminary  expenses  must  be  added,  in  the  case  of  the  sec¬ 
ond  plan,  the  cost  of  building  additional  bridges  across  the  valley  and 
renewing  some  of  the  existing  bridges,  which,  according  to  their  num¬ 
ber  and  character,  might  amount  to  from  $1,000,000  to  $1,500,000,  to 
be  expended  from  time  to  time  as  occasion  may  demand,  while  from 
the  cost  of  the  first  plan  is  to  be  deducted  the  net  salable  value  of  the  land 
not  occupied  by  streets  and  parkways,  amounting  to  about  1,160,000 
feet.1  While  any  estimate  of  this  salable  value  can  be  little  more  than 
a  guess,  we  may  accept  as  a  basis  the  estimates  given  in  Captain  Ros- 
sell’s  report,  taking  as  the  minimum  86  cents  and  as  the  maximum 
$2.58  per  foot.5 * 

This  would  give  maximum  gross  returns  of  $2,992,800,  and  mini¬ 
mum  gross  returns  of  $997,600;  or,  after  deducting  the  cost  of  neces- 

1  Senate  Mis.  Doc.  No.  21,  52:2,  p.  3. 

2  This  figure  of  $100,000  provides  for  the  removal  of  minor  irregularities  and  the 
protection  of  the  banks  from  wash. 

3  An  approximate  estimate  by  this  Commission  gives — 

450,000  cubic  yards  of  earth  to  be  moved  within  the  valley  itself,  at 


40  cents .  $180,000 

100,000  cubic  yards  of  earth  to  be  excavated  and  removed  to  Potomac 
Flats  or  elsewhere,  at  50  cents .  50,  000 

230, 000 


4  This  area  is  less  than  that  given  in  Senate  Mis.  Doc.  No.  21,  because  of  the  addi¬ 
tional  land  required  for  a  wide  boulevard. 

5  The  estimated  value  of  these  lands  under  condemnation  in  1892  averaged  86  cents 

per  foot,  and  the  estimated  value  under  sale  was  given  as  twice  that  amount.  Senate 

Mis.  Doc.  No.  21,  p.  7.  The  minimum  value  under  sale  assumed  in  this  report  is 
equal  ' to  the  previously  estimated  value  under  condemnation,  and  the  maximum 
value  assumed  is  three  times  that  amount.  The  maximum  value  is  from  nine  to 
twelve  times  the  present  average  assessed  valuation  of  improved  upland  property  in 
neighboring  parts  of  Georgetown,  and  between  three  and  four  times  the  valuation 
of  similar  improved  upland  property  in  Washington. 


APPENDIX  D. — TREATMENT  OP"  ROCK  CREEK  VALLEY.  139 


sary  streets,  $130, 000, 1  net  gross  returns  not  less  than  $870,000  nor 
more  than  $2,860,000. 

From  the  above  figures  it  would  appear  that  under  favorable  cir¬ 
cumstances  the  profit  on  land  sales  under  the  first  plan  might  make  its 
total  cost  some  $400,000  less  than  that  of  the  second  plan,  but  that 
otherwise  its  cost  might  exceed  that  of  the  second  plan  by  some 
$2,000,000. 

This  is  not,  however,  quite  a  sound  comparison,  because,  on  account 
of  the  magnitude  of  the  work  and  the  length  of  time  required  for  the 
settlement  of  the  enormous  fill  under  the  first  plan,  it  would  be  not 
less  than  fifteen  and  probably  twenty  years  from  the  beginning  of  the 
work  before  the  land  or  the  boulevard  would  become  available  for 
use,2  while  the  less  costly  second  plan  would  be  completed  within  five 
years.  The  interest  charges,  at  2  per  cent,  on  the  sums  invested  in 
land  holdings  and  in  construction  under  the  second  plan,  woidd  be 
nearly  $400,000;  but  under  the  first  plan  during  fifteen  years  they 
would  amount  to  over  $2,000,000,  and,  should  they  run  for  five  years 
more,  would  amount  to  more  than  three  and  a  quarter  millions. 

It  is  evident,  after  all  due  allowance  is  made  for  the  imperfect  data 
upon  which  the  comparison  is  based,  that  the  first  plan  would  under 
any  circumstances  be  far  more  costly  than  the  second  plan  with  its 
open  cal  ley. 

The  parkway  provided  under  either  plan  would  be  in  itself  agreeable 
and  dignified.  Under  the  first,  or  culvert  plan,  there  would  be  a 
broad,  central  roadway,  fianked  bv  four  rows  of  trees 

Relative  advantages.  . 

in  turf  parkings,  with  promenades.  Outside  of  these 
parkings  would  be  wide  streets  for  house  frontage  and  for  traffic, 
with  the  usual  sidewalks  and  narrow  parkings.  The  grades  would  be 
easy,  the  alignment  agreeable,  and  the  general  effect,  regardless  of  the 
quality  of  rhe  abutting  private  property,  would  be  similar  to  that  of 
many  of  the  notable  boulevards  of  European  capitals.  But  it  is 
impossible  so  to  disregard  the  appearance  of  the  surrounding  and 
inclosing  buildings,  for  in  boulevards  of  this  formal  urban  type  it  is 
the  buildings  that  fix  the  character,  while  the  trees  are  merely  a 
decorative  adjunct. 

The  portion  of  Georgetown  and  Washington  through  which  the  line 

*8,550  linear  feet  of  90-foot  street,  estimated  at  $13.75  per  foot  by  District  Com¬ 
missioners’  office,  $117,562.50,  plus  10  per  cent  for  contingencies,  equal  $129,318.75. 

'•'Senate  Mis.  Doc.  No.  21,  52<1  Cong.,  2d  sess.,  p.  6. 


140 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


passes  is  now  given  over  partly  to  manufacturing  and  partly  to  a  poor 
class  of  residences.  It  is  very  far  from  agreeable  in  appearance,  and 
it  is  hardly  to  be  expected  that  it  will  become  a  first-class  part  of  the 
city,  because  natural  growth  exerts  no  pressure  in  that  direction. 
The  tide  of  development  can  often  be  deflected  by  park  and  street 
improvements,  but  it  can  very  seldom  be  reversed.  A  parkway,  there¬ 
fore,  built  according  to  the  first  plan  woidd  probably  be  lined  by  fac¬ 
tories,  tenement  houses,  and  the  like,  on  a  level  with  the  drive  and 
separated  from  it  only  by  the  width  of  a  street  and  four  rows  of  tree 
trunks.  A  formal  urban  boulevard  is  very  dignified,  impressive,  and 
interesting  when  it  presents  an  agreeble  aspect  of  city  life,  but  when 
it  presents  a  disagreeable  aspect  of  city  life  and  remains,  as  it  must, 
just  as  intimately  a  part  of  that  life  it  ceases  to  be  satisfactory. 

Under  the  second  or  open-vallev  plan  the  broad  main  drive  accom¬ 
panied  by  paths  would  run  along  a  little  above  the  creek,  somewhat  as 
does  the  new  drive  through  Rock  Creek  Park.  The  present  valley, 
which  has  been  narrowed  by  the  constant  dumping  of  earth  over  its 
edge,  would  be  widened  by  excavation  at  the  restricted  points  to  a 
semblance  of  its  original  form  and  clothed  with  turf  and  trees,  while 
the  necessary  provision  for  business  traffic  and  for  building  frontage 
would  be  made  by  border  roads  on  a  level  with  the  existing1  streets. 
Along  these  border  roads  the  same  factories,  tenements,  and  the  like 
would  doubtless  be  built  as  in  the  other  case,  but  with  the  traffic 
roadways  from  30  to  40  feet  above  the  park  drive  such  occupation 
would  not  intrude  itself  forcibly  upon  the  attention,  even  if  it  were 
not  entirely  cut  off  from  view. 

Besides  secluding  the  parkway  from  direct  and  intimate  association 
with  an  unattractive  part  of  the  city,  the  higher  elevation  of  the  regu¬ 
lar  streets  would  permit  them  to  cross  the  parkway  above  grade  by 
bridges  spanning  the  valley,  so  that  the  busy  and  growing  traffic  of 
pedestrians,  wagons,  carriages,  and  especially  electric  cars  would  not 
be  brought  into  conflict  with  the  pleasure  travel.  Prom  everv  point 
of  view  this  is  to  be  desired.  For  the  driver  of  a  spirited  horse,  for 
the  wheelman,  even  for  one  strolling  afoot  along  the  parkway,  the 
necessity  for  crossing  a  busy  thoroughfare  at  every  block,  together 
with  several  electric-car  lines,  would  seriously  mar  the  ease  and  com¬ 
fort  of  a  pleasure  excursion,  while  the  obstruction  to  business  traffic 
by  grade  crossings  of  a  thronged  parkway  is  not  to  be  ignored.  In 
the  city  of  Boston  recently  the  objections  to  a  long  diagonal  crossing 


NO.  182.— BRIDGE  ACROSS  THE  RIVERWAY,  BOSTON  PARK  SYSTEM. 


NO.  75.— PIAZZA  DEL  POPOLO,  ROME.  A  COMMANDING  SITUATION  WISELY  TREATED  FOR  THE  ENJOYMENT  OF  THE  PEOPLE. 


APPENDIX  D. - TREATMENT  OF  ROCK  CREEK  VALLEY.  141 

of  a  traffic  street  with  the  principal  parkway  were  felt  to  be  so  great 
that  the  city  went  to  a  large  expense  to  provide  a  second  street  for 
traffic  and  electric  cars,  less  direct,  but  passing  under  the  park  drive. 

An  advantage  of  the  street-level  boulevard  that  would  offset,  at 
least  in  part,  the  obstruction  which  it  might  offer  to  cross  traffic  is, 
that  it  would  permit  more  connecting  streets  across  the  valley  than 
would  be  reasonable  or  feasible  with  the  open  valley  plan,  where  each 
cross  street  would  have  to  be  carried  on  a  bridge.  But  with  half  the 
streets  carried  across  on  bridges,  as  is  perfectly  feasible,  the  inter¬ 
ference  of  the  valley  with  cross-town  travel  would  be  very  slight.  It 
is  not  a  question  of  a  uniform  tide  of  travel  from  one  side  of  the 
valley  to  the  other;  it  is  a  question  of  travel  between  various  regions 
somewhat  remote  on  either  side — travel  which  naturally  tends  into  a 
few  main  arteries.  If  the  valley  were  converted  into  a  uniform  plain 
the  bulk  of  the  travel  would  still  continue  to  flow  on  a  few  principal 
lines,  and  if  these  be  well  provided  for  by  bridges  the  absence  of  a 
few  intermediate  crossings  will  be  of  little  consequence. 

Objection  has  been  made  to  a  valley  parkway  secluded  in  any  degree 
from  the  streets  by  difference  in  level — particularly  if  the  seclusion  be 
increased  by  trees  and  bushes — on  the  ground  that  it  would  be  very 
difficult  to  police  in  such  a  region  as  that  bordering  upon  Lower  Rock 
Creek.  This  raises  a  problem  not  to  be  lightly  pushed  aside;  but 
if  carried  to  its  logical  conclusion,  it  means  that  we  are  to  have  in  the 
poorer  quarters  of  the  cit}7  no  parks  in  the  least  degree  retired  from 
the  streets  or  materially  differing  in  treatment  from  their  bald  and 
sordid  surroundings;  for  any  park  is  more  liable  to  abuse  than  is  a 
street.  The  answer  to  the  objection  is  that  we  can  not  have  good 
things  in  this  world  without  paying  for  them  and  that  part  of  the 
price  of  parks  is  the  policing  of  them.  The  attempt  to  secure  the 
policing  of  parks  as  a  mere  incident  of  street  policing  is  not  a  wise 
policy  and  must  in  any  large  city  give  way  to  a  regular  and  system¬ 
atic  policing  of  the  parks.  Moreover,  in  this  particular  case  the 
difficulty  may  easily  be  exaggerated,  for  the  fact  that  the  sides  of  the 
valley  cut  off  the  sight  of  adjacent  streets  and  houses  from  the  main 
drive  and  paths  does  not  necessarily  mean  that  the  valley  itself  is  to 
be  filled  with  dense  thickets  and  somber  groves.  It  may,  indeed,  be 
open  and  sunny,  with  but  enough  trees  to  give  desirable  shade. 

It  would  appear,  then,  that  the  open- valley  project  would  afford  the 
more  satisfactory  parkway  and  that  its  cost  would  certainly  be  much 

S.  Rep.  1G6 - 18 


142 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLCMRIA. 


less  than  that  of  the  culvert  plan;  but  there  are  still  other  points  to 
be  taken  into  consideration,  of  which  the  most  important  is,  perhaps, 
that  the  culvert  plan  would  add  a  considerable  area  to  the  building- 
land  of  the  city,  from  which  in  time  a  large  income  would  be  derived 
in  taxes.  The  same  argument  may  be  raised  against  the  withdrawal 
of  any  park  land  from  commercial  occupancy,  and  it  is  merely  a  ques¬ 
tion  whether  in  this  case  the  value  of  the  park-like  borders  to  the 
drive  and  its  partial  seclusion  from  disagreeable  surroundings  would 
be  worth  the  loss  in  taxes.  In  our  opinion  it  would  be,  especially 
when  it  is  considered  that  the  potential  purchasers  of  this  land  are 
not  likely  to  be  lost  to  the  District  as  taxpayers,  but  will  simply  pur¬ 
chase  other  private  land,  increasing  its  value  by  improvements  and 
paying  the  same  taxes  upon  it.  This  raises  the  question,  too,  whether 
it  is  a  wise  policy  and  in  accordance  with  our  principles  of  govern¬ 
ment  for  the  public  authorities  to  go  into  real-estate  business  in  com¬ 
petition  with  the  citizens.  There  appears  to  be  at  present  no  lack  of 
land  for  sale  in  Washington,  but  rather  a  lack  of  sufficient  market, 
and  for  the  Government  to  put  additional  land  upon  that  market  would 
seem  a  questionable  blessing.  If  the  Government  is  not  to  go  heavily 
into  real-estate  speculation  in  competition  with  the  landowners  of  the 
District,  the  cost  of  the  culvert  project  becomes  so  enormous  as  to  be 
utterly  out  of  the  question. 

It  is  our  conclusion,  then,  that  the  Rock  Creek  parkway  should  be 
treated  as  an  open  valley,  crossed  as  often  as  may  be  necessary  by 
handsome  and  substantial  bridges,  flanked  by  traffic  roads  connecting 
on  a  level  with  the  adjacent  city  streets,  and  including  at  a  lower  level 
near  the  stream  a  drive  or  drives  and  such  paths  as  may  be  needed. 


APPENDIX  E. — BOTANICAL  COLLECTION. 


T 


^  HE  advantages  to  botanical  science,  to  horticulture,  to  forestry, 
and  to  landscape  architecture,  of  a  great  systematic  collection 
of  living  plants  under  the  direction  of  the  Department  of  Agri¬ 
culture,  are  too  great  to  need  argument.  The  Department  has  already 
found  itself  compelled  to  make  partial  collections  for  study  and  experi¬ 
ment  in  special  fields;  but  from  lack  of  funds  and  because  of  the 
limited  purposes  in  view  in  each  case,  these  collections  have  been 
quite  unrelated  one  to  another,  and  have  been  unavailable  for  general 
purposes.  The  investigations  of  the  Department  and  others  who  have 
occasion  to  study  large  groups  of  plants  for  any  purpose,  have  no 
such  collection  of  living  and  growing  specimens  at  their  disposal  as 
have  been  got  together  by  the  Government  authorities  of  England, 
France,  Holland,  Germany,  and  Russia.  They  have  been  compelled 
to  lely  mainly  upon  the  dried  specimens  of  herbaria,  supplemented 
b\  a  \  ery  few  collections  of  living  plants  maintained  by  educational 
institutions. 

Although  of  immense  value  to  the  purely  scientific,  systematic  bot¬ 
anist,  the  dried  herbarium  specimens  are  of  very  limited  use  in  studying 
the  general  character,  appearance,  and  habits  of  the  plants  in  nature; 
and  it  is  in  order  to  meet  the  practical  requirements  of  the  people  at 
laige,  who  want  to  use  the  plants  intelligently  in  farming,  gardening, 
foiestiy,  and  ornamental  planting,  that  the  living  plants  should  be 
brought  together  so  that  they  can  be  examined  with  economy  of  time 
and  travel.  The  existing  collections,  of  which  the  Arnold  Arboretum 
at  Boston,  the  Shaw  Botanical  Garden  at  St.  Louis,  and  the  New  York 
Botanical  Garden  are  the  most  important,  are  limited  in  their  ability 
to  supply  this  need,  not  only  by  reason  of  the  space  required  for  a  com¬ 
plete  collection  and  the  cost  of  the  work,  but  because  of  local  climatic 


143 


144 


HARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


conditions,  for  in  the  climate  of  Boston,  New  York,  and  St.  Louis  thou¬ 
sands  of  plants  of  the  utmost  value  and  interest  to  large  sections  of  the 
country  can  not  be  grown  at  all. 

A  great  and  adequate  national  botanical  collection  will  necessarily 
be  a  slow  growth,  and  its  organization  and  arrangement  must  be  the 
outcome  of  long  study  and  gradual  development;  but  as  suggestions  to 
guide  the  steps  that  may  first  be  taken  toward  its  establishment,  the 
following  conclusions  of  the  Commission  may  be  helpful.  They  are 
the  result  of  some  familiarity  with  the  present  arboreta  and  botanic 
wardens  and  of  discussion  with  several  botanists  of  eminence. 

O 

It  is  obvious  that  all  the  plants  native  to  the  territory  of  the  United 
States,  to  say  nothing  of  desirable  exotics,  can  not  possibly  be  gathered 
together  in  a  single  place  and  grown  there.  Their  climatic  require¬ 
ments  range  from  the  arctic  to  the  tropical;  and  even  within  the  main 
continental  territory  of  the  United  States  there  are  differences  quite 
as  radical,  if  not  so  striking,  as  between  Alaska  and  our  tropical  islands. 
AYe  should  therefore  look  forward  to  the  ultimate  establishment  of 


several  working  collections,  probably  in  connection  with  certain  of  the 
invaluable  experiment  stations  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  in 
a  few  localities  having  typical  climatic  conditions  fairly  representing 


the  whole  range  of  United  States  territory. 

It  would  doubtless  be  possible  to  arrange  for  utilizing  such  valuable 
existing  collections  as  those  of  the  Arnold  Arboretum,  the  Shaw 
Botanical  Garden,  and  the  New  York  Botanical  Garden  as  the  stations 
for  their  respective  sections,  supplementing  their  present  activities 
and  resources  by  governmental  cooperation,  bringing  them  into  closer 
touch  with  one  another,  so  organizing  their  aims  and  efforts  as  to 
avoid  needless  repetition  and  waste  of  energy,  and  providing  for  the 
prompt  and  full  publication  of  the  results  of  study  at  the  various  cen¬ 
ters.  This  branch  of  the  undertaking  would  require  but  little  expend¬ 
iture  in  proportion  to  the  results,  for  it  would  in  the  main  but  pro¬ 
vide  for  the  wise  and  orderly  direction  of  the  existing  local  activity  of 
wealthy  communities;  but  it  is  quite  as  important  to  the  welfare  of 
the  country  that  there  should  be  similar  working  collections  for  study 


and  experiment  in  less  developed  sections,  where  local  activity  can  not 
be  expected  for  very  many  years  to  establish  them,  where  far  less  is 
known  as  to  the  possibilities  of  plant  life,  and  where  such  knowledge 
would  be  of  immense  advantage  to  the  development  of  the  country. 


APPENDIX  E. - BOTANICAL  COLLECTION. 


145 


Washington  is  the  appropriate  place  for  the  station  representing  the 
climatic  region  of  the  Middle  Atlantic  States,  and  southward  to  the 
beginning  of  the  subtropical  section,  and  it  should  be  provided  with  a 
large  working  collection  of  the  flora,  both  native  and  introduced,  of 
the  region  which  it  represents.  Like  the  other  working  collections 
that  at  Washington  should  be  placed  and  arranged  with  a  view,  first, 
to  the  successful  growth  of  the  plants  under  fairly  normal  conditions, 
second,  to  convenience  in  caring  for  them,  and  studying  them  as  indi¬ 
viduals  and  botanical  series,  and  only  third,  to  the  appearance  of  the 
collection  as  a  whole.  It  is  a  business  proposition,  and  not  a  matter 
primarily  of  public  recreation. 

As  stated,  however,  in  the  body  of  the  report,  it  is  desirable,  as  a 
matter  of  popular  instruction  and  enjoyment,  and  also  for  the  sake  of 
presenting  in  a  clear  and  forcible  manner  the  greater  and  more  funda¬ 
mental  aspects  of  systematic  botaipy,  that  there  should  be  in  addition 
to  this  large  working  museum,  a  synoptic  collection  representing  all  the 
more  important  botanical  divisions  by  those  species  of  each  group  having 
the  greatest  interest,  whether  economic,  artistic,  or  purely  scientific. 
Such  a  collection  as  this,  which  might  well  be  placed  in  Potomac  Park, 
should  be  selected  and  arranged  not  only  with  a  view  to  the  successful 
growth  of  each  species  of  tree,  bush,  and  herb,  and  to  their  conven¬ 
ient  inspection,  but  with  the  most  scrupulous  regard  to  the  pleasing 
character  of  the  resulting  landscape,  a  motive  that  could  not  be  fol¬ 
lowed  with  great  success  in  the  unlimited  miscellaneous  collection  for 
experimental  purposes. 

In  such  a  synoptic  series,  for  example,  the  seventy  or  eighty  species 
of  oaks  of  the  United  states  would  be  represented  only  bv  the  kinds  of 
greatest  importance,  which  are  certain  to  grow  at  Washington  into 
great  and  beautiful  specimens  of  an  aspect  that  will  tit  in  harmoniously 
with  the  proposed  landscape  of  the  park;  the  sixty  or  seventy  species 
of  hawthorn  would  be  represented  by  a  few  of  the  commonest  and 
most  beautiful  varieties,  upon  whose  appearance  when  grown  it  is 
possible  to  count  with  reasonable  certaint}7,  and  which  therefore  can  be 
so  placed  as  to  produce  a  pleasing  result;  and  similarly  with  the 
smaller  brushes  and  herbaceous  plants.  With  the  two  latter  especially 
the  results  of  cultivation  can  be  indicated  in  a  beautiful  and  striking 
manner  by  choosing  a  few  of  the  genera  that  have  responded  most 
successfully  to  garden  cultivation  and  exhibiting  them  very  perfectly, 


146 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


presenting,  for  example,  every  one  of  the  almost  countless  varieties 
of  lilacs,  of  clematis,  of  peonies,  or  of  poppies,  and  of  a  few  of  the 
more  interesting  economic  plants,  such  as  grapes.  A  few  such  col¬ 
lections,  grouped  each  by  itself  in  a  retired  garden  or  ba}T  of  the  wood 
along  the  easterly  side  of  the  park,  if  well  planned  with  that  end  in 
view,  need  in  no  way  interfere  with  the  quiet  simplicity  of  its  general 
landscape,  and  would  afford  an  immense  amount  of  enjoyment  as  well 
as  instruction. 


APPENDIX  F.— LIST  OF  THE  DRAWINGS,  DESIGNS,  AND 
MODELS  ILLUSTRATING  THE  REPORT  OF  THE  COM¬ 
MISSION  ON  THE  IMPROVEMENT  OF  THE  PARK  SYS¬ 
TEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


[Exhibited  at  the  Corcoran  Art  Gallery.  Washington,  D.  C.,  January  15  to  February  25,  1902,  and  now 

on  exhibition  in  the  Library  of  Congress.] 


GALLERY. 

CENTRAL  GROUP. 

1.  Map  of  District  of  Columbia,  showing  existing  public  spaces. 

2.  Map  of  District  of  Columbia,  showing  existing  and  proposed 

public  spaces. 

3.  Map  of  District  of  Columbia,  showing  proposed  additions  to 

park  system. 

4.  Diagram  of  the  parks  of  New  York. 

5.  Diagram  of  the  parks  of  Boston. 

6.  Diagram  of  existing  and  proposed  parks  of  Washington. 

7.  Diagram  of  the  existing  parks  of  Washington. 

8.  Diagram  of  the  parks  of  Paris. 

9.  Diagram  of  the  parks  of  London. 

10.  Typical  section  of  Potomac  Quay.1 

11.  Typical  section  of  Rock  Creek  Parkway.  Treatment  recom¬ 

mended. 

12.  Typical  section  of  Rock  Creek  Parkway.  Alternative  project 

with  covered  channel. 

13.  Typical  section  of  one  of  the  Valley  Parkways,  such  as  Piney 

Branch,  Soapstone  Creek,  and  Georgetown  Parkways,  show¬ 
ing  the  preservation  of  existing  natural  scenery. 

1  The  sections  Nos.  11  to  17  were  rendered  by  Sears  Gallagher  and  Percival  Gallager. 

147 


148 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


14.  Typical  section  of  Potomac  Drive,  short  distance  above  Aqueduct 

Bridge. 

15.  Two  panoramic  views  showing  present  conditions. 

16.  Typical  section  of  Potomac  Drive  below  Chain  Bridge. 

17.  Section  of  Savannah  Parkway. 

18.  Plan  of  Savannah  Parkway. 

MALL  DIVISION. 

19.  General  plan,  describing  area  included  between  Capitol  and 

Lincoln  Monument,  White  House  and  Potomac  Park. 

20.  Birds-eye  view  of  general  plan  from  point  taken  4,000  feet  above 

Arlington.  (Rendered  by  F.  L.  Hoppin.) 

21.  Birds-eye  view  of  general  plan  from  point  taken  4,000  feet  over 

Insane  Asylum,  Anacostia  Heights. 

CAPITOL  DIVISION. 

22.  Plan  of  Capitol  grounds  (L1  Enfant)  1791. 

2 2a.  Plan  of  Capitol  grounds  (Thornton)  1808. 

23.  The  Capitol.  West  elevation,  showing  proposed  Terrace,  resto¬ 

ration  of  the  Bulfinch  gates  and  boundary  fence,  fountains 
and  approaches.  Rendered  by  A.  R.  Ross. 

24.  Section  through  same,  east  and  west.  Rendered  by  A.  R.  Ross. 

MONUMENT  DIVISION. 

25.  Plan  showing  proposed  treatment  of  Monument  Garden.  Ren¬ 

dered  by  Geo.  de  Gersdorff. 

26.  Section  through  Monument  garden  on  White  House  axis,  show¬ 

ing  proposed  treatment  of  approaches  and  terraces  forming 
a  setting  for  the  Washington  Monument.  (Looking  east.) 
Rendered  by  A.  R.  Ross. 

27.  Section  through  Monument  garden  on  Capitol  axis,  looking  north 

toward  White  House.  Rendered  by  A.  R.  Ross. 

28.  Section  through  Mall  at  Fifteenth  street,  looking  west,  showing 

Monument  approaches  and  terraces.  Rendered  by  A.  R. 
Ross. 

29.  Section  through  canal,  looking  east,  showing  terraces  and 

approaches  to  Monument  garden.  Rendered  by  A.  R.  Ross. 


APPENDIX  F. - DRAWINGS,  DESIGNS,  AND  MODELS.  149 


LINCOLN  MONUMENT  DIVISION. 

30.  Plan  showing  proposed  treatment  of  Lincoln  memorial  site. 

31.  Elevation  of  same  on  proposed  site. 

32.  Section  of  same. 

33.  General  section,  Lincoln  monument  site,  showing  proposed 

memorial  bridge  connection  at  this  point. 

HEMICYCLE. 

34.  Model  of  Mall,  including  areas  between  Capitol  and  Twenty- 

seventh  street,  White  House  and  Potomac  Park,  showing 
present  conditions.  Scale,  1  foot  equals  1,000  feet.  George 
Carroll  Curtis,  geographical  sculptor. 

35.  Model  of  Mall,  showing  treatment  proposed  by  the  Commission. 

Scale,  1  foot  equals  1,000  feet.  George  Carroll  Curtis,  geo¬ 
graphical  sculptor. 

CAPITOL  DIVISION. 

36.  View  of  Capitol  as  seen  from  Mall  (Third  street).  Rendered  by 

Robt.  Blum. 

37.  View  showing  proposed  treatment  of  square  at  head  of  Mall. 

Rendered  by  C.  Graham. 

38.  Gate  house  and  posts,  old  Capitol  Grounds.  (Bulfinch.) 

39.  View  showing  proposed  treatment  of  basin,  terrace,  and  Capitol 

approaches,  head  of  Mall.  Rendered  by  Henry  McCarter. 

MONUMENT  DIVISION. 

40.  View  of  Monument  and  garden  terraces  from  White  House. 

Rendered  bv  Jules  Guerin. 

41.  View  of  Monument  and  garden  terraces,  seen  from  canal, 

Lincoln  division.  Rendered  by  Jules  Guerin. 

42.  Views  of  projected  buildings,  restaurants,  pavilions,  etc. 

43.  One  of  the  six  pavilions  in  Monument  garden.  Rendered  by 

Henry  McCarter. 

44.  View  in  Monument  garden,  main  axis,  showing  proposed  treat¬ 

ment  of  approaches  and  terraces,  forming  a  setting  for  the 
W ashington  Monument.  (Looking  east. )  Rendered  by  J ules 
Guerin. 


150 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


45.  View  from  terrace,  base  of  Monument,  looking  toward  Arling¬ 

ton.  Rendered  by  Jules  Guerin. 

46.  View  from  terrace,  base  of  Monument,  looking  toward  White 

House.  Rendered  by  Jules  Guerin. 

47.  View  of  terrace  and  approach  to  Monument,  seen  from  the 

garden.  Rendered  by  H.  McCarter. 

48.  View  of  Monument  garden,  looking  toward  White  House.  Ren¬ 

dered  by  O.  IJ.  Bacher. 

LINCOLN  DIVISION. 

49.  View  showing  proposed  development  of  site  for  Lincoln  memo¬ 

rial,  seen  from  canal.  Rendered  by  Robt,  Blum. 

50.  Proposed  development  of  Lincoln  memorial  site,  seen  from  Riv¬ 

erside  Drive.  (Rendered  by  Carlton  T.  Chapman.) 

51.  View  of  the  same,  seen  from  Old  Observatory  site.  Rendered 

by  Jules  Guerin. 

52.  View  of  same,  seen  from  Washington  Monument.  (Rendered  by 

O.  H.  Bacher.) 

WASHINGTON  COMMON  DIVISION. 

53.  View  of  memorial  structure  and  public  playgrounds  looking 

south.  (Rendered  by  Jules  Guerin.) 

54.  View  of  Washington  common  and  public  playgrounds,  showing 

proposed  baths,  theater,  gymnasium,  and  athletic  buildings. 
(Rendered  by  Jules  Guerin.) 

55.  View  of  public  square  and  above  group  of  buildings,  showing 

proposed  memorial  structure.  Rendered  by  Jules  Guerin. 

MALL  DIVISION. 

56.  View  in  Mall  at  Sixth  street.  Rendered  by  J.  Guerin. 

57.  Mall  seen  from  Fourteenth  street,  looking  toward  Capitol.  (Ren¬ 

dered  by  Jules  Guerin.) 

58.  General  view  of  Monument  Garden  and  Mall,  looking  toward 
Capitol.  (Rendered  b}r  C.  Graham.) 

View  of  Monument  seen  from  Mall  at  Fourteenth  street.  (Ren¬ 
dered  by  Jules  Guerin.) 


59. 


APPENDIX  F. - DRAWINGS,  DESIGNS,  AND  MODELS.  151 


59 a.  View  from  the  West — Monument. 

59J.  View  from  balloon. 

60.  Projected  plan  of  the  City  of  Washington,  1790,  designed  by 

Peter  Charles  L’Enfant,  under  the  direction  of  General 
Washington. 

61.  Plan  of  the  City  of  Washington,  1791,  designed  b}T  Peter  Charles 

L’Enfant,  under  the  direction  of  General  Washington. 

61a.  Model  of  Monument  Garden.  Scale,  1  inch  equals  32  feet. 


PH OTOGR A P H I C  ENL A RGEM E NTS. 

62.  Fountain  of  Marcia,  Rome. 

63.  Fountain  in  Front  of  Farnese  Palace,  Rome. 

61.  Fountain,  Place  Chateau  d’eau,  Paris. 

65.  Parade  Ground,  Boston  Common. 

66.  Column  in  Garden  of  the  Luxembourg,  Paris. 

67.  Broad  Avenue,  Old  Hadley,  Mass. 

68.  Avenue,  Cirencester,  England. 

69.  Avenue,  Windsor. 

70.  Broad  Avenue,  Old  Hadley,  Mass. 

71.  “Charles  Sumner”  Elm,  Front  of  Capitol,  Washington. 

72.  View  from  Terraces,  St.  Germain,  Paris. 

73.  Terrace,  Garden  of  the  Tuilleries,  Rue  de  Rivoli,  Paris. 

74.  Fountain,  Hampton  Court,  London. 

75.  Piazza  del  Popolo,  Pincian  Hill,  Rome. 

76.  Ringstrasse,  Vienna. 

77.  Fountain  and  Vista,  Chantilly,  France. 

78.  Fountains,  Versailles. 

79.  Fountains,  Versailles. 

80.  Fountain,  Place  Saint  Sulpice,  Paris. 

81.  Fountain  of  San  Paolo,  Rome. 

82.  Fountain  de  l’Observatoire,  Paris. 

83.  Fountain  Versailles. 

84.  Fountain,  Barberini  Palace,  Rome. 

85.  Fountain  of  the  Medici,  Garden  of  the  Luxembourg,  Paris. 

86.  Fountain,  Quirinal,  Rome. 

87.  Terrace,  Versailles. 


152  PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 

88.  Garden  Pavilion,  Laxenburg,  Austria. 

89.  Fountain  and  Terrace,  Fontainebleau. 

90.  The  Long  Walk,  Windsor,  England. 

91.  Avenue,  Cirencester,  England. 

92.  Avenue,  Cirencester,  England. 

93.  General  View,  Place  de  la  Concorde,  Paris. 

94.  Avenue  of  the  Champs  Elvsees,  Paris. 

95.  Fountains,  Place  de  la  Concorde,  Paris. 

96.  Station  at  Frankfort,  Germany. 

97.  Avenue  of  the  Champs  Elysees,  Paris. 

98.  Fountain  in  Garden  at  d’Aranja,  Spain. 

99.  View,  Garden  of  Villa  Medici,  Rome,  showing  Terrace. 

100.  Basin  and  Parterres,  Fontainebleau. 

101.  Fountains,  Versailles. 

102.  ^Fountain,  Villa  Albani,  Rome. 

103.  Fountain  and  Canal,  Versailles. 

104.  The  Orangerie,  Versailles. 

105.  Palace  and  Gardens  of  the  Luxembourg-  Paris. 

106.  Temple,  Borghese  Gardens,  Rome. 

107.  Chateau  d’eau,  Caserta,  Italy. 

108.  Bernini  Fountain,  Piazza  of  St.  Peter’s,  Rome. 

109.  Brandenburg  Gate,  Berlin. 

110.  Canal,  Hampton  Court  Palace,  London. 

111.  Memorial  Walk,  Thiergarten,  Berlin. 

112.  L'arc  de  l’Etoile,  Paris. 

113.  Fountain,  Versailles. 

114.  Terrace,  Trianon  Palace,  Versailles. 

115.  Terrace  and  Walk,  Garden  of  the  Tuilleries. 

116.  Quays  p1  Lucerne,  Switzerland. 

117.  Quays  at  Grenoble,  France. 

118.  Bridge  and  Quay,  Paris. 

119.  Bridges  and  Quays,  Budapest. 

120.  Quay  at  Vannes,  France. 

121.  Bridges  and  Quay,  Angers,  France. 

122.  Elm,  Lafayette  Square,  Washington. 

123.  Elms,  Capitol  Grounds,  Washington. 

124.  Elms,  East  Front  of  Capitol,  Washington. 


*  From  photograph  taken  by  Mr.  Frederick  Law  Olmsted,  jr. 


APPENDIX  F.  — DRAWINGS,  DESIGNS,  AND  MODELS. 

125.  Elms,  East  Front  of  Capitol,  Washington. 

126.  Elm,  Capitol  Grounds,  Washington. 

127.  Elms,  Side  Avenue  of  Mall,  Central  Park,  New  York. 

128.  Elms,  Side  Avenue  of  Mall,  Central  Park,  New  York. 

129.  Elms,  Mall,  Central  Park,  New  York. 

130.  Elms,  Boston  Common. 

131.  Mall,  Boston  Common. 

132.  Elms,  Boston  Common. 

133.  Elms,  Boston  Common. 

134.  Elms,  Grounds  of  Harvard  University,  Cambridge,  Mass 

135.  Elms,  Grounds  of  Harvard  University. 

136.  Elms,  Avenue,  Old  Hadley,  Mass. 

137.  Elms,  Avenue,  Old  Hadley,  Mass. 

138.  Elms,  Avenue,  Old  Hadley,  Mass. 

139.  “Charles  Sumner”  Elm,  Capitol  Grounds,  Washington. 

140.  “Charles  Sumner”  Elm,  Capitol  Grounds,  Washington. 

141.  The  “Tapis  Vert,”  Versailles. 

142.  General  View,  Cirencester,  England. 

143.  Fountain  and  Vistas,  Garden  of  the  Tuileries,  Paris. 

144.  Exedra,  Garden  of  the  Tuileries,  Paris. 

145.  Terrace,  Fontainebleau. 

146.  Garden  of  the  Luxembourg,  Paris. 

147.  ^Garden  Terraces,  Chateau  Vaux  le  Vicomte. 

148.  ^Gardens,  Vaux  le  Vicomte. 

149.  ^Fountain,  Garden  Vaux  le  Vicomte. 

150.  *  Vatican  Garden,  Rome. 

151.  *Borghese  Gardens,  Rome. 

152.  ^Hippodrome,  Borghese  Gardens,  Rome. 

153.  Pavilion,  Borghese  Gardens,  Rome. 

154.  ^Garden,  Villa  d’Este,  Tivoli. 

155.  *Cascade,  Garden,  Villa  d’Este. 

156.  *  Cascade,  Garden,  Villa  d’Este. 

157.  *  Stair  and  Fountain,  Garden.  Villa  d’Este. 

158.  *Villa  Albani,  Rome. 

159.  *Villa  Albani,  Rome. 

160.  *Villa  Albani,  Rome. 

161.  *Villa  Albani,  Rome. 


153 


*From  photographs  taken  by  Mr.  Frederick  Law  Olmsted,  jr. 


154 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


162.  ^ Villa  Medici,  Rome. 

163.  *  Vi  11a  Medici,  Rome. 

164.  *Statue,  Garden,  Schoenbrunn,  Vienna. 

165.  *  Prate  i  Restaurant,  Vienna. 

166.  *Prater  Restaurant,  Vienna. 

167.  *Prater  Restaurant,  Vienna. 

168.  The  Long  Walk,  Windsor,  England. 

169.  Avenue  of  Stone  Pines,  Rome. 

170.  Monument  Park,  Washington,  Present  Condition,  from  the 

South. 

171.  Fountain  of  Trevi,  Rome. 

172.  Panorama  from  the  Cupola  of  St.  Peter,  Rome. 

173.  Piazzi  of  St.  Peter,  Rome. 

174.  Aqueduct,  Rome. 

175.  The  Spanish  Steps,  Plaza,  Rome. 

176.  Avenue  du  Bois  de  Bologne,  Paris. 

177.  Avenue  du  Bois  de  Bologne,  showing  Arc  de  Triomphe,  Paris*. 

178.  Fountain  St.  Michel,  Paris. 

179.  Garden  Pavilion.  Borghese  Gardens,  Rome. 


*From  photographs  taken  by  Mr.  Frederick  Law  Olmsted,  jr. 


WASHINGTON 


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APPENDIX  G. — LIST  OF  LANDS  IN  THE  DISTRICT  OF 
COLUMBIA  DEVOTED  TO  PUBLIC  USE. 

[Shown  on  map  No.  D-287,  following  page  171.] 


CLASS  A.— SQUARES,  CIRCLES,  TRIANGLES,  AND  OTHER  MINOR  RESERVATIONS,  INCLUD¬ 
ING  GROUNDS  ABOUT  PUBLIC  BUILDINGS  WHEN  ALWAYS  OPEN  TO  THE  PUBLIC. 

Table  I. — Reservations  over  one  acre  in  extent. 


[An  asterisk  (*)  indicates  control  by  the  District  Commissioners.  A  dagger  (f)  indicates  control  by 
the  Joint  Committee  on  the  Library.  All  others  are  under  control  of  the  Superintendent  of  Public 
Buildings  and  Grounds.] 


Name. 

Official 

number. 

Area. 

Approximate 
area  occupied 
by  buildings. 

A  eves. 

Acres. 

Dupont  Circle . 

60 

2.0 

Farragut  Square . 

12 

1.6 

Folger  Square . 

16 

1.9 

. 

Franklin  Square . 

9 

Garfield  Park . 

17 

23.9 

*  Havmarket  Square  .. 

2 

Howard  Park . 

20 

11.3 

Iowa  Circle . 

153 

2 

Judiciary  Square . 

7 

19.8 

2.3 

Lafayette  Square . 

10 

6.9 

f  Library  of  Congress 

9.8 

3.1 

grounds. 

Lincoln  Square . 

14 

6.5 

18 

1.6 

McPherson  Square  .... 

11 

1.6 

Location. 


Between  Eighteenth  and  Twentieth  streets  west, 
and  at  intersection  of  Massachusetts,  Connecti¬ 
cut,  and  New  Hampshire  avenues. 

Between  I  and  K  streets  north,  and  terminus  and 
intersection  of  Connecticut  avenue  and  Seven¬ 
teenth  street  west. 

Between  Second  and  Third  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  North  Carolina  avenue  and  D  street 
south . 

Between  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  streets  west, 
I  and  K  streets  north. 

Between  South  Capitol  street  and  Third  street 
east,  at  intersection  of  New  Jersey  and  Virginia 
avenues. 

On  B  street  north,  at  junction  of  Ohio  and  Loui¬ 
siana  avenues. 

Between  Four-and-a-half  and  Sixth  streets  west, 
and  College  and  Pomeroy  streets  north. 

Between  Twelfth  and  Fourteenth  streets  west,  at 
intersection  of  Vermont  and  Rhode  Island 
avenues. 

Between  Fourth  and  Fifth  streets  west,  and  Indi¬ 
ana  and  Louisiana  avenues  and  G  street  north. 

Between  Pennsylvania  avenue  and  II  street  north, 
and  Fifteen-and-a-half  and  Sixteen-and-a-half 
streets  west. 

Between  East  Capitol  and  B  streets  south,  First 
and  Second  streets  east. 

Between  Eleventh  and  Thirteenth  streets  east,  at 
intersection  of  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  North 
Carolina,  and  Massachusetts  avenues. 

Between  Fourth  and  Sixth  streets  east,  at  intersec¬ 
tion  of  South  Carolina  avenue  and  E  street  south. 

Between  I  and  K  streets  north,  at  southeastern 
terminus  and  intersection  of  Vermont  avenue 
and  Fifteenth  street  west. 


155 


156 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA 


Table  I. — Reservations  over  one  acre  in  extent — Continued. 


Name. 

Official 

number. 

Area. 

Approximate 
area  occupied 
by  buildings. 

Mt.  Vernon  Square _ 

8 

Acres. 

2.6 

Acres. 

.4 

Rawlins  Square . 

13 

1.6 

Stanton  Square . 

15 

3 

Washington  Circle  .... 

26 

1.8 

(  19 

3 

21 

2.8 

• 

55 

1.3 

56 

2.2 

Reservations  without 
name. 

< 

2.2 

113 

126 

2.9 

54 

1.1 

*An  irregular  plot . 

1.7 

Location. 


Between  Seventh  and  Ninth  streets  northwest,  at 
intersection  of  Massachusetts  and  New  York 
avenues. 

Between  Eighteenth  and  Nineteenth  streets  west, 
at  intersection  of  New  York  avenue  and  E  street 
north. 

Between  Fourth  and  Sixth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Massachusetts  and  Maryland  avenues. 

At  intersection  of  Pennsylvania  aiid  New  Hamp¬ 
shire  avenues,  and  K  and  Twentv-third  streets 
northwest. 

Between  Fifth  and  Seventh  streets  east,  and  K  and 
L  streets  south. 

Between  Twentieth  and  Twenty-first  streets  west, 
and  B  street  north  and  Potomac  River. 

Segment  of  circle  at  junction  of  Pennsylvania 
avenue  with  Eastern  Branch  bridge,  and  on 
south  side  of  avenue. 

Segment  of  circle  at  junction  of  Pennsylvania 
avenue  with  Eastern  Branch  bridge,  on  north 
side  of  avenue. 

Rectangle  between  Seventh  and  Ninth  streets 
west,  at  intersection  of  Maryland  and  Virginia 
avenues. 

Rectangle  between  Ninth  and  Eleventh  streets 
east,  at  intersection  of  Virginia  and  Georgia 
avenues  south. 

Between  Thirteenth  and  Fifteenth  streets  east,  at 
intersection  of  Pennsylvania  and  Georgia  ave¬ 
nues  south. 

Between  Louisiana  and  Pennsylvania  avenues  and 
the  Washington  Market  and  Seventh  and  Ninth 
streets  northwest. 


Total  number  of  minor  reservations  over  1  acre  in  extent 

Total  area  of  minor  reservations  over  1  acre  in  extent _ 

Total  area  free  from  buildings . 

Average  size . 


26 

121.70 

115.90 

4.68 


Table  II. — Reservations  under  one  acre  in  extent. 


[An  asterisk  (*)  indicates  control  by  the  District  Commissioners.  All  others  are  under  the  control 
of  the  Superintendent  of  Public  Buildings  and  Grounds.] 


Name. 

Official 

number. 

Area. 

Location. 

Triangle . 

Sq.  feci. 

22 

3, 502 

Between  Twenty-eighth  and  Twenty-ninth  streets  west, 
at  intersection  of  Pennsylvania  avenue  and  M  street 
north 

Do  . 

23 

2, 275 

Between  Twenty-fifth  and  Twenty-sixth  streets  west,  at 
intersection  of  Pennsylvania  avenue  and  L  street 
north. 

Do  . 

24 

6, 240 

Between  Twenty-fourth  and  Twenty-fifth  streets  west, 
at  intersection  of  Pennsylvania  avenue  and  L  street 
north. 

Between  Twenty-third  and  Twenty-fourth  streets  west, 
at  intersection  of  Pennsylvania  avenue  and  K  street 
north. 

Between  Twenty-second  and  Twenty-third  streets  west, 
at  intersection  of  Pennsylvania  avenue  and  K  street 
north. 

Trapezoid . 

25 

1,365 

Do  . 

27 

2,232 

Do  . 

28 

17, 68K 

Between  Twentieth  and  Twenty-first  streets  west,  at 
intersection  of  Pennsylvania  avenue  and  I  street 
north. 

Do  . 

29 

14,338 

Between  Twentieth  and  Twenty-first  streets  west,  at 
intersection  of  Pennsylvania  avenue  and  I  street 
north. 

Triangle . 

30 

18,511 

Between  Eighteenth  and  Nineteenth  streets  west,  at 
intersection  of  Pennsylvania  avenue  and  H  street 
north. 

APPENDIX  G. - LANDS  DEVOTED  TO  PUBLIC  USE. 

Table  II.—  Reservations  under  one  acre  in  extent— Continued. 


157 


Name. 

Official 

number 

1  Area. 

Triangle . 

31 

Sq.  feet. 

Trapezoid . 

32 

Do  . 

33 

•>1  op? 

Do . 

34 

7, 678 

Triangle . 

35 

Trapezoid . 

36 

15, 138 

Triangle. . . . 

37 

Do . 

38 

13, 360 

Trapezoid . 

39 

Triangle . 

40 

3,685 

Trapezoid . 

41 

42 

Triangle . 

11,070 

Do . 

43 

Do . 

44 

14,960 

Do . 

45 

13, 030 

Do . 

46 

1,450 

Do . 

47 

1,100 

Do . 

48 

11,440 

Do . 

49 

16,019 

Do . 

50 

4,618 

Do . 

51 

7, 456 

Trapezoid . 

52 

10, 962 

Triangle . 

53 

6, 800 

Do . 

57 

2, 435 

Circle  . 

57o 

22, 698 

Triangle . 

58 

3, 177 

Trapezoid . 

59 

8, 363  1 

Do . 

61 

2, 200  1 

Do . 

62 

13, 964  I 

Scott  Circle . 

63 

7,854  I 

Trapezoid . 

64 

13, 725  1 

Do . 

65 

3,190  I 

Thomas  circle . 

66 

28, 352  I 

Trapezoid . 

67 

3, 560  E 

Do . 

68 

16, 819  E 

Do . 

69 

17,686  B 

Do . 

70 

6, 794  B 

Do . 

71 

5, 812  A 

Do . 

72 

18, 000  B 

Triangle . 

73 

625  B 

Trapezoid . 

74 

10, 887  A 

Location. 


Between  Eighteenth  and  Nineteenth  streets  west  at 
northeCtl°n  01  Penns>rlvania  avenue  and  H  street 

Between  Thirteen-and-a-half  and  Fourteenth  streets 
west  at  intersection  of  Pennsylvania  avenue  and  E 
street  north. 

Between  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  streets  west  and 
Pennsylvania  avenue  and  E  street  north. 

Between  Ninth  and  Tenth  streets  west,  at  intersection  of 
Pennsylvania  avenue  and  Ninth  street 
Between  Eighth  and  Ninth  streets  west,  at  intersection 
ot  1  ennsylvania  and  Louisiana  avenues 
Bet  ween  Seventh  and  Eighth  streets  west,  at  intersection 
northnnSylVania  an<^  Louisiana,  avenues  and  C  street 

Between  Second  and  Third  streets  east,  at  intersection 
ot  Pennsylvania  avenue  and  B  street  south. 

Between  Fourth  and  Fifth  streets  east,  at  intersection  of 
Pennsylvania  and  North  Carolina  avenues 
Do. 

Do. 

Between  Fifth  and  Sixth  streets  east,  at  intersection  of 
Pennsylvania  and  North  Carolina  avenues 
Do. 

Do. 

Between  Seventh  and  Eighth  streets  east,  at  intersection 
ot  Pennsylvania  and  South  Carolina  avenues. 

;5even^.  an(l  Eighth  streets  east,  at  intersection 
ot  Pennsylvania  and  South  Carolina  avenues  and  D 
street  south. 

Between  Seventh  and  Eighth  streets  east,  at  intersection 
of  Pennsylvania  avenue  and  D  street  south 
Between  Eighth  and  Ninth  streets  east,  at  intersection  of 
1  ennsyl  vania  and  South  Carolina  avenues  and  D  street 

Between  Eighth  and  Ninth  streets  east,  at  intersection  of 
i  ennsylvania  avenue  and  D  street  south. 

Between  Eighth  and  Ninth  streets  east,  at  intersection  of 
1  ennsylvania  and  South  Carolina  avenues. 

Between  Tenth  and  Eleventh  streets  east,  at  intersection 
ot  Pennsylvania  avenue  and  E  street  south. 

Between  Eleventh  and  Twelfth  streets  east,  at  intersec- 
tion  ot  Pennsylvania  a  venue  and  E  street  south 
Between  Twelfth  and  Thirteenth  streets  east,  at  intersec- 
tion  ot  I  ennsylvania  avenue  and  G  street  south 
Between  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  streets  east  atinter- 
section  ot  Pennsylvania  avenue  and  G  street  south. 
Between  Twenty-first  and  Twenty-second  streets  west,  at 
intersection  of  Massachusetts  avenue  and  ©street  north 
In  Massachusetts  avenue,  at  Twenty-third  streetswest. 
Between  Twenty-first  and  Tw  enty-second  streets  west,  at 
intersection  ot  Massachusettsavenueand  Q street  north. 
Between  Nineteenth  and  Twentieth  streetswest,  at  in- 
tersection  ot  Massachusetts  avenue  and  P  street  north. 
Between  Eighteenth  and  Nineteenth  streets  west,  at  in- 
tersection  of  Massachusetts  avenue  and  P  street  north. 
Between  Sixteenth  and  Seventeenth  streets  west,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island  avenues, 
n tersection  of  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island  a  venues 
and  Sixteenth  street  west. 

Between  Fifteenth  and  Sixteenth  streets  west,  at  intersec¬ 
tion  ot  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island  avenues  north. 
Between  Fourteenth  and  Fifteenth  streets  west  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Massachusetts  avenue  and  M  street  north, 
n tersection  of  Massachusetts  and  Vermont  avenues  and 
Fourteenth  street  west. 

Between  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  streets  west,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  Massachusetts  avenue  and  M  street  north. 
Between  Eleventh  and  Twelfth  streets  west,  at  intersec- 
tion  of  Massachusetts  avenue  and  L  street  north. 

Between  Tenth  and  Eleventh  streets  west,  at  intersection 
ot  Massachusetts  avenue  and  L  street  north. 

Jetween  Ninth  and  Tenth  streets  west,  at  intersection  of 
Massachusetts  and  New  York  avenues  and  K  street 
north. 

it  intersection  of  Massachusetts  avenue,  Seventh  street 
west,  and  K  street  north. 

Between  Fifth  and  Sixth  streets  west,  at  intersection  of 
Massachusetts  avenue  and  I  street  north. 

Between  Fourth  and  Fifth  streets  west,  at  intersection 
of  Massachusetts  avenue  and  I  street  north, 
it  intersection  of  Massachusetts  avenue  and  I  street 
north  and  Fifth  street  west. 


S.  Rep.  166— — 19 


158 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA 


Table  II. — Reservations  under  one  acre  in  extent — Continued. 


Name. 

Official 

number. 

Triangle . 

75 ! 

Do . 

76 

Circle  . 

77 

Triangle . 

78 

Do . 

79 

Do . 

80 

Do . 

81 

Do . 

82 

Trapezoid . 

83 

Do . 

84 

Do . 

85 

Do . 

86 

Triangle . 

87 

Do . 

88 

Trapezoid . 

89 

Triangle . 

90 

Do . 

91 

Do . 

92 

Do . 

93 

Do . 

94 

Do . 

95 

Do . 

96 

Do . 

97 

Do . 

98  i 

Do . 

99 

Do . 

100 

Trapezoid . 

101 

Triangle . 

102 

Do . 

103 

Do . 

104 

Do . 

105 

Do . 

106 

Do . 

107 

Do . 

108 

Do . 

109 

Do . 

110 

Trapezoid . 

111 

Do . 

112 

Do . 

114 

Do . 

115 

Triangle . 

116 

Do . 

117 

Area. 


Location. 


Sq.  feet. 
5, 400 

7, 320 

15,393 

4,725 

1,205 

1,205 

4,062 

4,418 

4,915 

9, 594 

8, 506 

8, 007 

960 

10, 042 

8, 505 

10,011 

7, 654 
18,354 
11,178 
1,574 

787 
1,750 
1,875 
8,  640 


Intersection  of  Massachusetts  avenue  and  H  street  north 
and  between  Third  and  Fourth  streets  west. 

Between  Third  and  Fourth  streets  west,  at  intersection  of 
Massachusetts  avenue  and  H  street  north. 

Between  North  Capitol  and  First  streets  west,  at  intersec¬ 
tion  of  Massachusetts  and  New  Jersey  avenues. 

Between  North  Capitol  and  First  streets  west,  at  intersec¬ 
tion  of  Massachusetts  avenue  and  F  street  north. 

Between  North  Capitol  and  First  streets  east, at  intersec¬ 
tion  of  Massachusetts  avenue  and  F  street  north. 

At  intersection  of  Massachusetts  and  Delaware  avenues 
and  First  street  east. 

Between  First  and  Second  streets  east,  at  intersection  of 
Massachusetts  avenue  and  E  street  north. 

Between  Second  and  Third  streets  east,  at  intersection  of 
Massachusetts  avenue  and  D  street  north. 

At  intersection  of  Massachusetts  avenue,  D  street  north, 
and  Third  street  east. 

Between  Sixth  and  Seventh  streets  east,  at  intersection  of 
Massachusetts  avenue  and  B  street  north. 

Between  Eighth  and  Ninth  streets  east,  at  intersection 
of  Massachusetts  avenue  and  B  street  north. 

Between  Eighth  and  Ninth  streets  east,  at  intersection 
of  Massachusetts  avenue  and  A  street  north. 

Between  Ninth  and  Tenth  streets  east,  at  intersection 
of  Massachusetts  avenue  and  A  street  north. 

Between  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  streets  east,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  Massachusetts  avenue  and  A  street  south. 

Between  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  streets  east,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  Massachusetts  avenue  and  B  street  south. 

Between  Fourteenth  and  Fifteenth  streets  east,  at  junc¬ 
tion  of  Massachusetts  and  South  Carolina  avenues 
southeast. 

Between  Fourteenth  and  Fifteenth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Massachusetts  avenue  and  B  street  south. 

Between  Seventeenth  arid  Eighteenth  streets  east,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  Massachusetts  avenue  and  C  street  south. 

Between  Eighteenth  and  Nineteenth  streets  east,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  Massachusetts  avenue  and  C  street  south. 

Between  Twenty-seventh  and  Twenty-eighth  streets 
west,  at  intersection  of  Virginia  avenue  and  I  street 
north. 

Between  H  and  I  streets  north,  at  intersection  of  Vir¬ 
ginia  avenue  and  Twenty-seventh  street  west. 

Between  Twenty-sixth  and  Twenty-seventh  streets  west, 
at  intersection  of  Virginia  avenue  and  H  street  north. 

Between  Twenty-fifth  and  Twenty-sixth  streets  west,  at 
intersection  of  Virginia  avenue  and  H  street  north. 

Between  Twenty-fourth  and  Twenty-lifth  streets  west, 
at  intersection  of  Virginia  avenue  and  G  street  north. 


4,897  Do. 

6,164  Between  Twenty-third  and  Twenty-fourth  streets  west, 
at  intersection' of  Virginia  avenue  and  F  street  north. 

2,394  Between  Twenty-second  and  Twenty-third  streets  west, 
at  intersection  of  Virginia  avenue  and  F  street  north. 

4,234  Between  Twenty-first  and  Twenty-second  streets  west, 
at  intersection  of  Virginia  avenue  and  E  street  north. 

1,342  !  Do. 

1,450  i  Between  Twenty-first  and  Twenty-second  streets  west, 
at  intersection  of  Virginia  avenue  and  D  street  north. 

11,096  Between  Twentieth  and  Twenty-first  streets  west,  at 
intersection  of  Virginia  and  New  York  avenues. 


11,467 

1,950 

1,323 

1,180 


7,250 

10,237 


8, 695 
10, 428 
8, 075 
4, 625 
16,  775 


Do. 

Between  Nineteenth  and  Twentieth  streets  west,  at 
intersection  of  Virginia  avenue  and  D  street  north. 

Between  Nineteenth  and  Twentieth  streets  west,  at 
intersection  of  Virginia  avenue  and  C  street  north. 

Between  Eighteenth  and  Nineteenth  streets  west,  at 
intersection  of  Virginia  avenue  and  C  street  north. 

Between  Seventeenth  and  Eighteenth  streets  west,  at 
intersection  of  Virginia  avenue  and  B  street  north. 

Between  Eleventh  and  Twelfth  streets  west,  at  intersec¬ 
tion  of  Virginia  avenue  and  B  street  south. 

Between  Ninth  and  Tenth  streets  west,  at  intersection 
of  Virginia  avenue  and  C  street  north. 

Between  Sixth  and  Seventh  streets  west,  at  intersection 
of  Virginia  avenue  and  C  street  south. 

Between  Sixth  and  Seventh  streets  west,  at  intersection 
of  Virginia  avenue  and  I)  street  south. 

Between  Four-and-a-half  and  Sixth  streets  west,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Virginia  avenue  and  D  street  south. 

Do. 


APPENDIX  G. - LANDS  DEVOTED  TO  PUBLIC  USE 


159 


Table  II. — Reservations  under  one  acre  in  extent — Continued. 


Name. 

Official 

number. 

Area. 

Trapezoid . 

118 

Sq.  feet. 
14, 414 

Triangle . 

119 

405 

Trapezoid . 

120 

4, 032 

Triangle . 

121 

2, 580 

Trapezoid . 

122 

15, 916 

Triangle . 

123 

16,383 

Trapezoid . 

124 

9,828 

Do . 

125 

18, 051 

Do . 

127 

25, 972 

Triangle . 

128 

7,272 

Do . 

129 

15, 225 

Do . 

130 

3, 932 

Do . 

131 

1,298 

Do . 

132 

1,268 

Do . 

133 

8, 816 

Do . 

134 

9, 426 

Do . 

135 

1,014 

Do . 

136 

630 

Do . 

137 

1,750 

Do . 

138 

2,200 

Do . 

139 

1,995 

Do . 

140 

6,995 

Do . 

141 

1,536 

Do . 

142 

1,987 

Do . 

143 

988 

Do . 

144 

12,264 

Do . 

145 

3,838 

Do . 

146 

5,400 

Do . 

147 

3,700 

Do . 

148 

4,120 

Do . 

149 

7,470 

Do . 

150 

6,435  j 

Do . 

151 

3,025 

Trapezoid . 

152 

1,940 

Location. 


Between  Second  and  Third  streets  west,  at  intersection 
of  Virginia  avenue  and  E  street  south. 

Between  First  and  Second  streets  west,  at  intersection  of 
Virginia  avenue  and  E  street  south. 

Between  First  street  west  and  Delaware  avenue,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Virginia  avenue  and  E  street  south. 

Between  South  Capitol  and  Half  streets  west,  at  intersec¬ 
tion  of  Virginia  avenue  and  F  street  south. 

Between  Fourth  and  Fifth  streets  east,  at  intersection  of 
Virginia  avenue  and  I  street  south. 

Between  Sixth  and  Seventh  streets  east,  at  intersection 
of  Virginia  avenue  and  I  street  south. 

Between  Sixth  and  Seventh  streets  east,  at  intersection 
of  Virginia  avenue  and  K  street  south. 

Between  Eighth  and  Ninth  streets  east,  at  intersection 
of  Virginia  avenue  and  K  street  south. 

Between  Eleventh  and  Twelfth  streets  east,  at  intersec¬ 
tion  of  Virginia  avenue  and  L  street  south. 

Between  Twelfth  and  Thirteenth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Virginia  avenue  and  M  street  south. 

Between  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  streets  east,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  Virginia  avenue  and  M  street  south. 

Between  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  streets  east,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  Virginia  avenue  and  Water  street  south¬ 
east. 

Between  Twenty-sixth  and  Twenty-seventh  streets  west, 
at  intersection  of  New  Hampshire  avenue  and  E  street 
north. 

Between  Twenty-sixth  and  Twenty-seventh  streets  west, 
at  intersection  of  New  Hampshire  avenue  and  F  street 
north. 

Between  Twenty-fifth  and  Twenty-sixth  streets  west,  at 
intersection  of  New  Hampshire  avenue  and  G  street 
north. 

Between  Twenty-fifth  and  Twenty-sixth  streets  west,  at 
intersection  of  New  Hampshire  and  Virginia  avenues. 

Between  Twenty-fourth  and  Twenty-fifth  streets  west,  at 
intersection  of  New  Hampshire  avenue  and  H  street 
north. 

Between  Twenty-fourth  and  Twenty-fifth  streets  west,  at 
intersection  of  New  Hampshire  avenue  and  I  street 
north. 

Between  I  and  K  streets  north,  at  intersection  of  New 
Hampshire  avenue  and  Twenty-fourth  street  west. 

Between  K  and  L  streets  north,  at  intersection  of  New 
Hampshire  avenue  and  Twenty-second  street  west. 

Between  L  and  M  streets  north,  at  intersection  of  New 
Hampshire  avenue  and  Twenty-second  street  west. 

Between  Twenty-first  and  Twenty-second  streets  west,  at 
intersection  of  New  Hampshire  avenue  and  M  street 
north. 

Between  Id  and  N  streets  north,  at  intersection  of  New 
Hampshire  avenue  and  Twenty-first  street  west. 

Between  N  and  0  streets  north,  at  intersection  of  New 
Hampshire  avenue  and  Twentieth  street  west. 

Between  Nineteenth  and  Twentieth  streets  west,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  New  Hampshire  avenue  and  0  street 
north. 

Between  Seventeenth  and  Eighteenth  streets  west,  at 
intersection  of  New  Hampshire  avenue  and  S  street 
north. 

Between  Sixteenth  and  Seventeenth  streets  west,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  New  Hampshire  avenue  and  T  street 
north. 

Between  Sixteenth  and  Seventeenth  streets  west,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  New  Hampshire  avenue  and  U  street 
north. 

Between  Fifteenth  and  Sixteenth  streets  west,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  New  Hampshire  avenue  and  Sixteenth  street 
west. 

Between  Fifteenth  and  Sixteenth  streets  west,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  New  Hampshire  avenue  and  Fifteenth  street 
west. 

Between  Nineteenth  and  Twentieth  streets  west,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  Connecticut  avenue  and  Q  street  north. 

Between  Seventeenth  and  Eighteenth  streets  west,  at 
intersection  of  Connecticut  avenue  and  M  street  north. 

Between  Seventeenth  street  and  Connecticut  avenue,  at 
intersection  of  Rhode  Island  avenue  and  M  street 
north. 

Between  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  streets  west,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  Rhode  Island  avenue  and  P  street  north. 


160 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA 


Table  II. — Reservations  under  one  acre  in  extent — Continued. 


Name. 

Official 

number. 

Area. 

Triangle . 

154 

Sq./eet. 
11, 930 

Trapezoid . 

155 

1,856 

Triangle . 

156 

868 

Do . 

157 

9,185 

Do . 

158 

687 

Do . 

159 

6, 630 

Do . 

160 

2, 530 

Trapezoid . 

161 

960 

Do . 

162 

960 

Do . 

163 

7, 700 

Do . . . 

164 

1,700 

Triangle . 

165 

2,467 

Trapezoid . 

166 

3, 150 

Triangle . 

167 

3,300 

Do . 

168 

4,087 

Trapezoid . 

169 

3, 045 

Triangle . 

170 

11,695 

Do . 

171 

8,170 

Trapezoid . 

172 

3,967 

Do . 

173 

12, 840 

Do . 

174 

13, 482 

Do . 

175 

5, 450 

Do . 

176 

5,960 

Do . 

177 

540 

Do . 

178 

7,181 

Do . 

179 

9,064 

Triangle . 

181 

22, 152 

Do . 

182 

4, 712 

Do . 

183 

4,712 

Do . 

184 

7,618 

Do . 

185 

7, 618 

Do . 

186 

7,272 

Do . 

187 

4,028 

Do . 

188 

3, 718 

Do . 

189 

2,2% 

Do . 

190 

6,450 

Trapezoid . 

191 

5,735 

Do . 

192 

8,550 

Triangle . 

193 

9,386 

Trapezoid . 

194 

5, 725  | 

Location. 


Between  Twelfth  and  Thirteenth  streets  west,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Rhode  Island  avenue  and  P  street  north. 

Between  P  and  Q  streets  north,  at  intersection  of  Rhode 
Island  avenue  and  Tenth  street  west. 

Between  Ninth  and  Tenth  streets  west,  at  intersection  of 
Rhode  Island  avenue  at  Q  street  north. 

Do. 

Between  Sixth  and  Seventh  streets  west,  at  intersection 
of  Rhode  Island  avenue  and  R  street  north. 

Do. 

Between  Fourth  and  Fifth  streets  west,  at  intersection 
of  Rhode  Island  and  New  Jersey  avenues  and  S  street 
north. 

Between  L  and  M  streets  north,  at  intersection  of  Ver¬ 
mont  avenue  and  Fourteenth  street  west. 

Between  M  and  N  streets  north,  at  intersection  of  Ver¬ 
mont  avenue  and  Fourteenth  street  west,  at  front  of 
Martin  Luther’s  statue. 

Between  O  and  P  streets  north,  at  intersection  of  Ver¬ 
mont  avenue  and  Thirteenth  street  west. 

Between  P  and  Q  streets  north,  at  intersection  of  Ver¬ 
mont  avenue  and  Thirteenth  street  west. 

Between  Twelfth  and  Thirteenth  streets  west,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Vermont  avenue  and  R  street  north. 

Between  R  and  S  streets  west,  at  intersection  of  Vermont 
avenue  and  Twelfth  street  west. 

Between  Eleventh  and  Twelfth  streets  west,  at  intersec¬ 
tion  of  Vermont  avenue  and  S  street  north. 

Between  Tenth  and  Eleventh  streets  west,  at  intersection 
of  Vermont  avenue  and  Eleventh  street  west. 

Between  S  and  T  streets  north,  at  intersection  of  Ver¬ 
mont  avenue  and  Tenth  street  west. 

Between  Ninth  and  Tenth  streets  west,  and  T  and  U 
streets  north,  at  intersection  of  Vermont  avenue  and 
Tenth  street  west. 

Between  Twenty-second  and  Twenty-third  streets  west, 
at  intersection  of  New  York  avenue  and  C  street  north. 

Between  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  streets  west,  at 
intersection  of  New  York  avenue  and  H  street  north. 

Between  Eleventh  and  Twelfth  streets  west,  at  intersec¬ 
tion  of  New  York  avenue  and  I  street  north. 

Between  Tenth  and  Eleventh  streets  west,  at  intersection 
of  New  York  avenue  and  I  street  north. 

Between  Ninth  and  Tenth  streets  west,  at  intersection 
of  New  York  avenue  and  K  street  north. 

Between  Sixth  and  Seventh  streets  west,  at  intersection 
of  New  York  avenue  and  K  street  north. 

Between  Fifth  and  Sixth  streets  west,  at  intersection  of 
New  York  avenue  and  L  street  north. 

Between  Fourth  and  Fifth  streets  west,  at  intersection  of 
New  York  avenue  and  L  street  north. 

Between  Third  and  Fourth  streets  west,  at  intersection 
of  New  York  and  New  Jersey  avenues  and  M  street 
north. 

Between  First  and  Second  street  west,  at  intersection  of 
New  York  avenue  and  M  street  north. 

Between  First  street  west  and  North  Capitol  street,  at 
intersection  of  New  York  avenue  and  M  street  north. 

Between  First  street  east  and  North  Capitol  street,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  New  York  avenue  and  N  street  north. 

Between  North  Capitol  and  First  streets  east,  at  intersec¬ 
tion  of  New  York  avenue  and  O  street  north. 

Between  First  and  Second  streets  east,  at  junction  of 
New  York  and  Florida  avenues  and  O  street  north. 

Between  Thirteenth  and  Thirteen-and-a-half  streets  west, 
at  intersection  of  Ohioavenue  and  C  street  north. 

Between  Fifth  and  Sixth  streets  west,  at  intersection  of 
Louisiana  avenue  and  D  street  north. 

Between  Third  and  Fourth  streets  west,  at  intersection 
of  Indiana  avenue  and  I)  street  north. 

Between  First  and  Second  streets  west,  at  intersection  of 
Indiana  avenue  and  C  street  north, 

Between  P  and  Q  streets  north,  at  intersection  of  New 
Jersey  avenue  and  Fourth  street  west. 

Between  Third  and  Fourth  streets  west,  at  intersection 
of  New  Jersey  avenue  and  O  street  north. 

Between  Third  and  Fourth  streets  west,  at  intersection 
of  new  Jersey  avenue  and  N  street  north. 

At  intersection  of  New  Jersey  avenue  and  I  street  north 
and  Second  street  west. 

Between  H  and  I  streets  north,  at  intersection  of  New 
Jersey  avenue  and  I  street  and  Second  street  west. 


APPENDIX  G.—  LANDS  DEVOTED  TO  PUBLIC  USE 


161 


Table  II.  —  Reservations  under  one  acre  in  extent — Continued. 


Name. 

Official 

number. 

Area. 

Trapezoid . 

195 

Sq.  feet. 
12.572 

Do . 

196 

5,170 

Do . 

197 

4, 402 

Do . 

198 

5, 029 

Do . 

199 

4,132 

Do . 

200 

10, 098 

Triangle . 

201 

22, 095 

Garfield  circle . 

202 

6, 361 

Triangle . 

203 

10, 296 

Do . 

204 

7, 820 

Do . 

205 

12, 152 

Do . 

206 

4,860 

Trapezoid . 

207 

3,213 

Do . 

208 

3,720 

Do . 

209 

4,496 

Triangle . 

210 

10,860 

Do . 

211 

4,588 

Do . 

212 

4,095 

Do . 

213 

3,330 

Do . 

214 

2, 100 

Do . 

215 

6, 039 

Trapezoid . 

216 

6,039 

Triangle . 

217 

552 

Do . 

218 

2,100 

Trapezoid . 

219 

25, 642 

Do . 

220 

11,340 

Triangle . 

221 

4, 576 

Do . 

222 

405 

Trapezoid . 

223 

10,815 

Do . 

224 

25, 240 

Triangle . 

225 

4,508 

Trapezoid . 

226 

23, 482 

Triangle . 

227 

4, 628 

Trapezoid . 

228 

7,093 

Do . 

229 

9, 702 

Do . 

230 

16, 368 

Triangle . 

231 

506 

Trapezoid . 

232 

7, 837 

Do . 

233 

7,406 

Triangle . 

234 

900 

Do . 

235 

10,556 

Location. 


Between  G  and  H  streets  north,  at  intersection  of  New 
Jersey  avenue  and  First  street  west. 

Between  K  and  F  streets  north,  at  intersection  of  New 
Jersey  avenue  and  First  street  west. 

Between  Twelfth  and  Thirteenth  streets  west,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Maryland  avenue  and  D  street  south. 

Between  Ninth  and  Tenth  streets  west,  at  intersection  of 
Maryland  avenue  and  D  street  south. 

Between  Ninth  and  Tenth  streets  west,  at  intersection  of 
Maryland  avenue  and  0  street  south. 

Between  Sixth  and  Seventh  streets  west,  at  intersection 
of  Maryland  avenue  and  C  street  south. 

Between  Third  and  Four-and-a-half  streets  west,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  Maryland  avenue  and  Band  Canal  streets 
south. 

At  junction  of  Maryland  avenue  with  First  street  south¬ 
west. 

Between  First  and  Second  streets  east,  at  intersection  of 
Maryland  avenue  and  A  street  north. 

Between  First  and  Second  streets  east,  at  intersection  of 
Maryland  avenue  and  B  street  north. 

Between  Second  and  Third  streets  east,  at  intersection  of 
Maryland  avenue  and  B  street  north. 

Between  Sixth  and  Seventh  streets  east,  at  intersection  of 
Maryland  avenue  and  D  street  north. 

Between  Seventh  and  Eighth  streets  east,  at  intersection 
of  Maryland  avenue  and  D  street  north. 

Between  Eighth  and  Ninth  streets  east,  at  intersection  of 
Maryland  avenue  and  E  street  north. 

Between  Tenth  and  Eleventh  streets  east,  at  intersection 
of  Maryland  avenue  and  E  street  north. 

Between  Eleventh  and  Twelfth  streets  east,  at  intersec¬ 
tion  of  Maryland  avenue  and  F  street  north. 

Between  Twelfth  and  Thirteenth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Maryland  avenue  and  F  street  north. 

Between  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  streets  east,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  Maryland  avenue  and  G  street  north. 

Between  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  streets  east,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  Maryland  avenue  and  G  street  north. 

Between  O  and  P  streets  south,  at  intersection  of  Dela¬ 
ware  avenue  and  Third  street  west. 

Between  Second  and  Third  streets  west,  at  intersection 
of  Delaware  avenue  and  N  street  north. 

Between  Second  and  Third  streets  west,  at  intersection 
of  Delaware  avenue  and  M  street  south. 

Between  L  and  M  streets  south,  at  intersection  of  Dela¬ 
ware  avenue  and  Second  street  west. 

Between  K  and  L  streets  south,  at  intersection  of  Dela¬ 
ware  avenue  and  Second  street  west. 

Between  I  and  K  streets  south  and  Delaware  avenue  and 
Second  street  west. 

Between  I  and  H  streets  south  and  Delaware  avenue 
and  First  street  west. 

Between  G  and  H  streets  south,  at  intersection  of  Dela¬ 
ware  avenue  and  First  street  west. 

Between  F  and  G  streets  south,  at  intersection  of  Dela¬ 
ware  avenue  and  First  street  west. 

Between  E  and  F  streets  south  and  Delaware  avenue 
and  First  street  west. 

At  intersection  of  Massachusetts  and  Delaware  avenues, 
First  street  east,  and  F  street  north. 

Between  F  and  G  streets  north,  at  intersection  of  Dela¬ 
ware  avenue  and  First  street  east. 

Between  G  and  H  streets  north,  at  intersection  of  Dela¬ 
ware  avenue  and  First  street  east. 

Between  L  and  M  streets  north,  at  intersection  of  Dela¬ 
ware  avenue  and  Second  street  east. 

Between  M  and  N  streets  north,  at  intersection  of  Dela¬ 
ware  avenue  and  Second  street  east. 

Between  First  and  Second  streets  east,  at  intersection  of 
North  Carolina  avenue  and  E  street  south. 

Between  Sixth  and  Seventh  streets  east,  at  intersection 
of  North  Carolina  avenue  and  B  street  south. 

Between  A  and  B  streets  south,  at  intersection  ot  North 
Carolina  avenue  and  Eighth  street  east.  . 

Between  Eighth  and  Ninth  streets  east,  at  intersection  of 
North  Carolina  avenue  and  B  street  south. 

Between  Eighth  and  Ninth  streets  east,  at  intersection  ot 
North  Carolina  avenue  and  A  street  south. 

Between  Ninth  and  Tenth  streets  east,  at  intersection  of 
North  Carolina  avenue  and  A  street  south. 

Between  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  streets  east,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  North  Carolina  avenue  and  A  street  north. 


162 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA 


Table  II. — Reservations  under  one  acre  in  extent — Continued. 


Name. 

Official 

number. 

Area. 

Trapezoid . 

236 

Sq.  feet. 
8,883 

Triangle . 

237 

600 

Do . 

238 

7, 698 

Do . 

239 

10, 351 

Do . 

240 

5, 642 

Do . 

241 

5, 046 

Do . 

242 

21,900 

Do . 

243 

20, 878 

Do . 

244 

20, 234 

Do . 

245 

24, 727 

Do . 

246 

20, 520 

Do . 

247 

30, 975 

Do . . 

248 

1,500 

Do . 

249 

5,180 

Do . 

250 

1, 827 

Do . 

251 

10,914 

Do . 

252 

10,700 

Do . 

253 

9,144 

Do . 

254 

10, 753 

Trapezoid . 

255 

6, 510 

Triangle . 

256 

,937 

Do . 

257 

15, 748 

Do . 

258 

8,972 

Do . 

259 

5, 395 

Do . 

260 

3,850 

Do . 

261 

2, 116 

Do . 

262 

2, 040 

Do . 

263 

1 , 762 

Do . 

264 

2, 592 

Do . 

265 

1,462 

Do . 

266 

5, 742 

Do . 

267 

6, 348 

Do . •. . 

268 

5, 043 

Do . 

269 

3, 250 

Do . 

270 

877 

Do . 

271 

687 

Do . 

272 

437 

Do . 

273 

418 

Do . 

274 

350 

Do . 

275 

870 

Location. 


Between  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  streets  east,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  North  Carolina  avenue  and  B  street  north. 

Between  Fourteenth  and  Fifteenth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  North  Carolina  avenue  and  B  street  north. 

Between  Fourteenth  and  Fifteenth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  North  Carolina  avenue  and  B  street  north. 

Between  Fifteenth  and  Sixteenth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  North  Carolina  avenue  and  C  street  north. 

Between  Twelfth  and  Thirteenth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  South  Carolina  avenue  and  C  street  south. 

Between  Twelfth  and  Thirteenth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  South  Carolina  avenue  and  C  street  south. 

Between  Second  and  Third  streets  west,  at  intersection 
of  Georgia  avenue  and  S  street  south. 

Between  First  and  Second  streets  west,  at  intersection  of 
Georgia  avenue  and  R  street  south. 

Between  Half  and  First  streets  west,  at  intersection  of 
Georgia  avenue  and  R  street  south. 

Between  South  Capitol  and  Half  streets  west,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Georgia  avenue  and  Q  streets  south. 

Between  South  Capitol  and  Half  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Georgia  avenue  and  Q  streets  south. 

Between  Half  and  First  streets  east,  at  intersection  of 
Georgia  avenue  and  P  street  south. 

Between  First  and  Second  streets  east,  at  intersection  of 
Georgia  avenue  and  G  street  south. 

At  intersection  of  Georgia  avenue  and  Fourth  and  N 
streets  southeast. 

At  intersection  of  Georgia  avenue,  N,  Fifth,  and  Canal 
streets  southeast. 

Between  Eighth  and  Ninth  streets  east,  at  intersection  of 
Georgia  avenue  and  M  street  south. 

Between  Eleventh  and  Twelfth  streets  east,  at  intersec¬ 
tion  of  Georgia  avenue  and  K  street  south. 

Between  Twelfth  and  Thirteenth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Georgia  avenue  and  K  street  south. 

Between  Twelfth  and  Thirteenth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Georgia  avenue  and  I  street  south. 

Between  Fourteenth  and  Fifteenth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Georgia  avenue  and  G  street  south. 

Between  Fifteenth  and  Sixteenth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Georgia  and  Kentucky  avenues  and  G  street 
south. 

Between  Seventeenth  and  Eighteenth  streets  east,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  Georgia  avenue  and  E  street  south. 

Between  Eighteenth  and  Nineteenth  streets  east,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  Georgia  avenue  and  E  street  south. 

Between  Twelfth  and  Thirteenth  streets  east,  at  intersec¬ 
tion  of  Kentucky  avenue  and  B  street  south. 

Between  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Kentucky  avenue  and  B  street  south. 

Between  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  streets  east,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  Kentucky  avenue  and  D  street  south. 

Between  Fourteenth  and  Fifteenth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Kentucky  avenue  and  D  street  south. 

Between  Fourteenth  and  Fifteenth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Kentucky  avenue  and  Fifteenth  street  east. 

Between  Fifteentn  and  Sixteenth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Georgia  and  Kentucky  avenues  and  G  street 
south. 

Between  Fifteenth  and  Sixteenth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Kentucky  avenue  and  H  street  south. 

Betweeii  Twelfth  au'd  Thirteenth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Tennessee  avenue  and  B  street  north. 

Between  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  streets  east,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  Tennessee  avenue  and  B  street  north. 

Between  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  streets  east,  at  in¬ 
tersection  of  Tennessee  avenue  and  D  street  north. 

Between  Fourteenth  and  Fifteenth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Tennessee  avenue  and  E  street  north. 

At  intersection  of  Florida  avenue  and  Twenty-first  street 
northwest. 

At  intersection  of  Florida  avenue  and  V  street  north, 
between  Seventeenth  and  Eighteenth  streets  west. 

At  intersection  of  Florida  avenue  and  Tenth  >treet 
northwest. 

Between  Ninth  and  Tenth  streets  west,  at  intersection  of 
Vermont  avenue  and  V  street  north. 

Between  Sixth  and  Seventh  streets  west,  at  intersection 
of  Florida  avenue  and  T  street  north. 

Between  Fourth  and  Fifth  streets  west,  at  intersection  of 
Florida  avenue  and  S  street  north. 


APPENDIX  G. - LANDS  DEVOTED  TO  PUBLIC  USE 


163 


Table  II. — Reservations  under  one  acre  in  extent — Continued. 


Name. 

Official 

number. 

Area. 

Location. 

Sq.Jeet. 

Between  First  and  Third  streets  west,  at  intersection  of 
Florida  avenue  and  R  street  north. 

Triangle . 

276 

870 

Do . 

277 

742 

Between  North  Capitol  street  and  First  street  west,  at 
intersection  of  Florida  avenue  and  Q  street  north. 

Circle . 

277a 

11,310 

On  North  Capitol  street,  at  Florida  avenue  north. 

Triangle . 

278 

910 

Between  North  Capitol  street  and  First  street  east,  at 
intersection  of  Florida  avenue  and  P  street  north. 

Do . 

279 

484 

Between  Third  and  Fourth  streets  east,  at  intersection  of 
Florida  avenue  and  N  street  north. 

Do . 

280 

725 

Between  Sixth  and  Seventh  streets  east,  at  intersection 
of  Florida  avenue  and  M  street  north. 

Do . 

281 

700 

Between  Ninth  and  Tenth  streets  east,  at  intersection  of 
Florida  avenue  and  L  street  north. 

Trapezoid . 

282 

1,053 

Between  Eleventh  and  Twelfth  streets  east,  at  intersec¬ 
tion  of  Florida  avenue  and  K  street  north. 

Triangle . 

283 

600 

Between  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Florida  avenue  and  1  street  north. 

Do . 

284 

450 

Between  Canal  street,  at  intersection  of  B  and  Second 
streets  southwest. 

Do . 

285 

10, 500 

Between  Canal  street,  at  intersection  of  First  and  I) 
streets  southwest. 

Do . 

286 

1,905 

At  intersection  of  Canal,  South  Capitol,  and  E  streets 
southeast. 

Do . 

287 

2, 929 

At  intersection  of  Canal  street,  H  street  south,  and  Half 
street  east. 

Trapezium . 

288 

11,462 

Between  H  and  I  streets  south,  at  intersection  of  New 
Jersey  avenue,  Canal,  and  First  streets  east. 

Triangle . 

289 

1,520 

At  intersection  of  New  Jersey  avenue,  Canal,  and  I 
streets  southeast. 

Do . 

290 

5,700 

At  intersection  of  South  Capitol,  I,  and  H  streets  south¬ 
west. 

Do . 

291 

2, 280 

At  intersection  of  I  and  Half  streets  southwest,  on  west 
side  of  canal. 

Do . 

292 

8, 125 

Between  L  and  M  streets  south,  and  Half  and  First  streets 
west,  on  west  side  of  canal. 

Do . 

293 

2,100 

At  intersection  of  canal  and  N  streets  south  and  First 
street  west. 

Do . 

294 

11,400 

At  intersection  of  Water  street,  N  street  south,  and  Sixth 
street  west. 

Do . 

295 

9, 108 

Between  U  and  V  streets  south,  at  intersection  of  \\  ater 
and  Half  streets  west. 

Do . 

296 

9,954 

Between  T  and  U  streets  south,  at  intersection  of  W  ater 
and  Half  streets  west. 

Do . 

297 

1,750 

Between  R  and  S  streets  south,  at  intersection  of  South 
Capitol  and  Water  streets. 

Do . 

298 

3,250 

Between  Twelfth  and  Thirteenth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  N  and  Water  streets  south. 

Do . 

299 

7, 875 

Between  Fourteenth  and  Fifteenth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Water  street  and  M  street  south. 

Do . 

300 

3, 450 

Between  Fifteenth  and  Sixteenth  streets  east,  at  inter¬ 
section  of  Water  street  and  L  street  south. 

Do . 

301 

1,235 

Do. 

*  Trapezoid . 

. 

4, 124 

Between  Sixth  and  Seventh  streets  north ,  at  intersection 
of  C  street  and  Pennsylvania  avenue. 

♦Circle . 

6, 361 

Between  Sixth  and  Seventh  streets  north,  at  intersection 
of  C  street  and  Louisiana  Avenue. 

Total  number  of  reservations  under  1  acre  in  extent 


Total  area  of  reservations  under  1  acre  in  extent . acres. .  42. 23 

Average  size  of  reservations  under  1  acre  in  extent . do -  ■  13 


Total  number  of  all  minor  reservations .  301 

Total  area  of  all  minor  reservations . acres. .  166. 93 

Total  area  free  from  buildings . do - 161. 13 


164 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA 


CLASS  B.— LARGE  PARKS. 
CENTRAL  GROUP. 


[A  dagger  (f)  indicates  control  by  the  Joint  Committee  on  the  Library;  a  double  dagger  (J)  indicates 
control  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture;  all  others  are  under  control  of  the  Superintendent  of 
Public  Buildings  and  Grounds.] 


Name. 

Official 

number. 

Area. 

Ap¬ 
proxi¬ 
mate 
area  oc¬ 
cupied 
by 

build¬ 

ings. 

Location. 

Acres. 

Acres. 

Capitol  grounds . 

59.1 

2.5 

Between  B  street  north  and  B  street  south,  First 
street  east  and  First  street  west. 

Mall: 

f  Botanical  Gar¬ 
dens. 

11.8 

.40 

Between  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  avenues,  and 
First  and  Third  streets  west. 

Public  Gardens 
(Seaton  Park). 

5,6 

19 

Between  Missouri  and  Maine  avenues,  and  Third 
and  Sixth  streets  west. 

Armory  Square 
(Henry  Park) . 

4 

14.9 

3.1 

Between  B  street  north  and  B  street  south,  and 
Sixth  and  Seventh  streets  west.  Occupied  in 
part  by  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  and 
the  Fish  Commission. 

Grounds  of  Smith¬ 
sonian  Institu¬ 
tion. 

3 

58 

2. 89 

Between  B  street  north  and  B  street  south,  Seventh 
and  Twelfth  streets  west.  Occupied  by  the 
Smithsonian  Institution,  the  National  Museum, 
and  Army  Medical  Museum. 

J  Grounds  of  De¬ 
partment  of  Ag¬ 
riculture. 

35 

1 

Between  B  street  north  and  B  street  south,  and 
Twelfth  and  Fourteenth  streets  west.  Occupied 
by  the  Agricultural  Department. 

Grounds  of  Wash¬ 
ington  Monu¬ 
ment. 

2 

78. 5 

Between  B  street  north  and  B  street  south  and  Po¬ 
tomac  Park,  and  Fourteenth  street  west  and  f  ish 
Commission  grounds. 

Grounds  of  Fish 
Commission. 

18.9 

Between  B  street  north  and  Potomac  Park.  Monu¬ 
ment  grounds  and  Potomac  Park.  Occupied  by 
the  breeding  ponds  of  the  Fish  Commission. 

President’s  Park 
(White  Lot). 

i 

52.9 

Between  White  House  grounds  and  B  street  north, 
and  Fifteenth  and  Seventeenth  streets  northwest. 

Total  of  central 

348. 1 

9. 89 

group. 

To  above  total  of  347.9 
acres  in  central 
group  may  be  added 
the  White  House 
grounds,  although 

18.5 

.50 

Between  Pennsylvania  avenue  northwest,  and 
President’s  Park  and  Treasury  building  and 
State,  War,  and  Navy  building.'  These  grounds 
are  occupied  by  the  White  House  and  its  con¬ 
servatories,  and  are  highly  improved. 

not  open  to  public 
except  on  few  spe¬ 
cial  occasions. 

Grand  total  of 
central  group. 

366. 6 

10. 39 

Total  number  of  reservations  in  central  group .  .  10 

Total  area  of  reservations  in  central  group . ............acres!.  366.60 

Total  area  free  from  buildings .  do  356.  21 

Average  size . !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! d< >!!! !  36.  oo 


ZOOLOGICAL  PARK. 


Present  area 


acres..  170 


ROCK  CREEK  PARK. 


Present  area 


acres..  1,605.0 


POTOMAC  PARK. 


Present  area 


acres. .  730. 4 


CENTRAL  GROUP. 


Present  area . 

Total  area  of  large  parks 


acres..  366.6 


do....  2,361.0 


APPENDIX  G.— LANDS  DEVOTED  TO  PUBLIC  USE. 


165 


CLASS  C.— GROUNDS  CONNECTED  WITH  PUBLIC  BUILDINGS,  INSTITUTIONS,  OR  DEPART¬ 
MENTS.  AND  PRIMARILY  INTENDED  FOR  OTHER  PURPOSES.  BUT  INCIDENTALLY 
OPEN  TO  THE  PEOPLE  UNDER  LIMITATIONS. 


[Only  those  marked  with  an  asterisk  (*)  are  ordinarily  open  to  the  people.] 


Name. 

Area. 

Approxi¬ 
mate  area 
occupied 
by  build¬ 
ings. 

.  Location,  character,  etc. 

Almshouse . 

Acres. 
265. 00 

Acres. 

A  new  site  for  the  District  almshouse  recently  purchased 
at  the  southern  end  of  the  District,  on  the  Anacostia 
side,  adjacent  to  the  United  States  powder  magazine. 
It  extends  from  the  District  line  to  the  grounds  of  the 
powder  magazine,  and  from  Bald  Eagle  Hill  to  the 
shore  line  near  Shepherds  Landing.  Five-sixths  of 
this  area  are  either  flat  or  a  very  gentle  slope,  and  the 
remainder  is  on  a  steep  hillside  that  includes  part  of 
the  proposed  Shepherd  parkway. 

Girls’  Reform  School .. 

Bellevue  . 

19 

84 

A  wooded  hilltop  adjoining  the  receiving  reservoir,  near 
the  western  corner  of  the  District. 

A  low-lying  tract  containing  the  U.  S.  powder  magazine, 
on  the  shore  of  the  Potomac,  near  the  new  almshouse 
grounds  and  the  southern  point  of  the  District. 

Citv  farm  . 

66 

2 

A  partially  developed  tract,  with  a  few  good  trees,  lving 
between  Nineteenthstreet  eastand  the  Anacostia  Ri’ver, 
occupied  by  the  almshouse  and  jail.  The  former  is  to 
be  removed.  These  grounds  will  be  crossed  by  the  pro¬ 
posed  extension  of  Massachusetts  avenue.  A  portion 
would  be  occupied  by  the  proposed  Anacostia  Park. 

Columbia  Institute  for 
Deaf  Mutes. 

110.  34 

.84 

A  wooded  tract  north  of  Florida  avenue  on  the  line  of 
Eighth  street  east.  Its  extreme  northerly  end  would 
form  part  of  the  proposed  belt  park  system. 

Government  Hospital 
for  the  Insane. 

363.  63 

4.  76 

A  hilly,  wooded  tract  on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  Ana¬ 
costia  River,  overlooking  the  Potomac  and  the  citv. 

LTnited  States  farm .... 

Military  cemeterv . 

59. 63 

1 

. 

An  uncultivated  tract  lying  immediately  west  of  Gies- 
boro  road. 

Municipal  hospital 
grounds. 

33. 44 

A  tract  of  open  rolling  land,  with  scattered  trees,  recently 
acquired  by  Districton  the  line  of  Thirteenth  street  ex¬ 
tended,  between  Seventh  street  road  and  Pinev  Branch. 

*  Naval  Observatory. . . 

89.8 

A  wooded  upland  tract  on  the  line  of  Massachusetts 
avenue,  half  a  mile  west  of  Rock  Creek,  commanding 
extensive  views  over  the  city.  Occupied  by  observa¬ 
tory  buildings,  but  serving  also  as  a  place  of  resort. 

Navy-yard . 

43. 12 

8.38 

Between  M  street  southeast  and  Anacostia  River  and 
Sixth  and  Ninth  streets  southeast.  Principally  occu¬ 
pied  by  the  ordnance  construction  shops  of  the  Navy. 

♦  Old  Naval  Observa¬ 
tory  (now  Naval  Mu¬ 
seum  of  Hygiene). 

16.90 

.36 

A  hill,  over  90  feet  high,  between  Twenty-third  and 
Twenty-fifth  streets  west  and  E  street  and  B  street 
north,  commanding  an  exceptionally  beautiful  view. 

Reform  School . 

278 

.  75 

A  tract  of  high  land  at  the  northeastern  boundary  of  the 
District,  commanding  excellent  views  over  tlie  Ana¬ 
costia  Valiev  and  in  other  directions. 

♦Soldiers’  Home . 

502 

2.00 

On  the  line  of  North  Capitol  street,  halfway  to  the  Dis¬ 
trict  line. 

Washington  Barracks . 

62 

2.46 

A  flat,  low-lying  tract  at  the  foot  of  Four-and-a-half  street. 
Lately  an  artillery  post,  it  is  now  to  be  the  site  of  a 
school  of  applied'  engineering  and  of  a  war  college. 

White  House  grounds . 

18. 50 

.50 

South  of  Pennsylvania  avenue,  between  Fifteen-and-a- 
half  and  Sixteen-and-a-half  streets.  Open  to  the  public 
only  on  special  occasions. 

Total  area . 

2, 012. 36 

22.05 

Receiving  reservoir 


*  Conduit  road . 

Distributing  reservoir . 

Reservation  with  Watergate 
and  pump. 

Do . 

Do . 

Georgetown  reservoir . 

Howard  University  reservoir 

Filter . 


281.75 


27.50 

64 

3.4 


On  Potomac  River  and  on  western  boundary  of  District, 
lying  partly  in  District  and  partly  in  Maryland.  The  Dis¬ 
trict  portion  is  heavily  wooded  and  the  land  is  basin-like. 

A  level  drive,  over  water  conduit,  from  District  line  to  valley 
of  Foundry  Branch. 

On  Potomac  River  near  Conduit  road  and  New  Cut  road. 
Has  little  land  about  it. 

In  Foundry  Branch  Valley. 


2.33 
.94 
1.50 
67. 70 

34 


Rock  Creek  Valley  near  Massachusetts  avenue. 

Washington  Heights  near  Eighteenth  street. 

Thirty-second  and  U  streets.  Little  ground  around  it. 
Between  Soldiers’  Home  grounds  and  Howard  University. 

To  be  connected  with  filter  plant  lying  east. 

Grounds. 


Total  number  of  grounds . ; .  25 

Total  area . acres..  2,495.48 

Total  area  free  from  buildings . do -  2, 473. 43 

Average  size  . do - _  99.81 

Total  area  in  classes  A,  B,  and  C . do -  5,544.68 

Total  usually  open  to  the  public . do —  1,105.25 


APPENDIX  H.— LIST  OF  PROPOSED 


ADDITIONAL  RESER¬ 


VATIONS. 


[Shown  in  green  lines  on  map  No.  D-288.] 


CLASS  A.— SMALL  RESERVATIONS  AND  FORTS. 


Temporary  designation. 

Approxi¬ 

mate 

area. 

Location. 

Fort  Baker . 

Acres. 

13.8 

Near  Bowen  road  and  Overlook  Inn,  southeast 

Fort  Bunker  Hill . 

11.9 

At  Brookland,  on  University  Heights,  northeast. 

Near  junction  of  Central  avenue  and  Bennings  road,  south¬ 
east. 

At  junction  of  Bowen  road  and  Pennsylvania  avenue  ex¬ 
tended.  southeast. 

At  junction  of  Bowen  road  and  Ridge  road,  southeast. 

Near  River  road  and  District  boundary,  northwest. 

Near  Bennings,  northeast. 

North  of  Florida  avenue  on  Sixteenth  street,  northwest. 

On  Ridge  road  near  distributing  reservoir,  northwest. 

On  hill  east  of  Anaeostia  village,  southeast. 

South  of  junction  of  Central  avenue  and  Benning  road, 
southeast. 

East  of  Soldiers’  Home,  near  Harewood  road,  northeast. 

Fort  Chaplin . 

20.2 

Fort  Davis . 

25.7 

Fort  Dupont . 

24.8 

Fort  Howard . 

3.  7 

Fort  Mahan . 

55. 1 

Meridian  Hill . 

18.0 

Battery  Parrott . 

1.8 

Battery  Ricketts . 

Fort  Sedgwick . 

3.7 
22. 0 

Fort  Slemmer . 

19.3 

Fort  Stanton . 

66. 1 

On  hill  above  Anaeostia  village,  southeast. 

At  Brightwood,  near  Military  road,  northwest. 

At  junction  of  Nebraska  avenue  and  Georgetown  and  Rock¬ 
ville  road,  northwest. 

Near  Boys’  Reform  School,  northeast. 

On  Bates  road,  north  of  Soldiers’  Home,  northeast. 

Fort  Stevens . 

12.8 

Tenley  Circle . 

6.4 

Fort  Thayer . 

11.0 

Fort  Totten . 

47.  7 

Total  area . 

364.0 

CLASS  B.— LARGE  PARKS. 

Anaeostia  Park.j^^  ggg 

Analostan  Island . 

Acres. 

1,143 

88 

Bet  ween  Massachusetts  avenue  and  District  line,  on  Anaeostia 
River,  northeast. 

In  Potomac  River,  west  of  Mall. 

On  Bladensburg  road,  northeast. 

At  head  of  Chain  Bridge  road,  northwest. 

Adjoining  Columbian  Institute  for  Deaf-Mutes,  northeast. 

At  Tenley  near  Georgetown  and  Rockville  road,  northwest. 

Mount  Hamilton  Park . 

119 

Fort  Kemble . 

147 

Patterson  Park . 

140 

Fort  Reno . 

70 

Total  area . 

1,707 

CLASS  C.— ADDITIONS  TO  GROUNDS  CONNECTED  WITH  PUBLIC  BUILDINGS,  INSTITUTIONS, 
OR  DEPARTMENTS  AND  PRIMARILY  INTENDED  FOR  OTHER  PURPOSES  BUT  INCI¬ 
DENTALLY  OPEN  TO  THE  PEOPLE  UNDER  LIMITATIONS. 


Howard  University  Reser¬ 
voir. 

Old  Naval  Observatory . 

Soldiers’  Home  or  filter 
grounds. 

Washington  Barracks . 

Acres. 

8.1 

19.3 

12.8 

30.2 

On  westerly  side  of  Howard  University  Reservoir,  north¬ 
west  (three  small  parcels). 

On  westerly  side  of  old  Naval  Observatory,  northwest. 

On  southerly  end  of  Soldiers’  Home  grounds,  east  of  filter 
grounds,  northeast. 

On  westerly  side  and  southerly  end  of  Washington  Barracks. 

Total  area . 

70.4 

Total  area  in  classes  A 

,  B,  and  C,  in  acres,  2,141.4. 

167 


168 


PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


CLASS  D.— PARKWAYS  AN1>  PARK  CONNECTIONS. 


Temporary  designation. 

Approxi¬ 

mate 

area. 

Broad  Branch  parkwav . 

Miles. 

2 

Eckington  parkway . 

1.2 

Georgetown  parkwav . 

1.6 

Mount  Hamilton  parkway.. 

.  75 

Pinev  Branch  parkwav . 

1.6 

Potomac  Palisades . 

3.2 

Quavs . 

8.5 

Riverside  drive . 

2.8 

Rock  Creek  parkway . 

2 

Savannah  parkwav . 

.8 

Shepherd  parkwav . 

2.7 

Soapstone  Creek  parkway... 
Soldiers’  Home  parkway  . ... 

1.2 

1.2 

Stickfoot  Creek  parkway.... 

1.  75 

To  which  may  be  added 
streets  and  avenues  which 
should  be  widened  and 
parked  to  form  adequate 
connections: 

Fort  drive . 

31.30 

17. 

Nebraska  avenue . 

1.25 

Yuma  street . 

1.75 

Mount  Vernon  road . 

51.  30 
14. 

Total  length . 

65.30 

Location. 


From  Tenleytown  to  Rock  Creek  Park,  via  Fort  Reno  Reser¬ 
voir  and  Broad  Branch  Valley,  northwest. 

From  Soldiers’  Home  to  Patterson  estate,  northeast 

From  Rock  Creek,  at  Massachusetts  avenue,  to  Foundrv 
Brook  Valley,  northwest. 

Prom  Patterson  estate  to  Mount  Hamilton,  northeast. 

From  southern  end  of  Rock  Creek  Park  to  Seventh  street 
road  at  Municipal  Hospital  grounds,  northwest. 

From  Foundry  Brook  Valley,  along  the  Potomac  River,  to 
District  line,  northwest. 

Rock  Creek  mouth  to  Mall,  northwest:  Mall  to  Washington 
barracks,  southwest:  Washington  barracks  to  Navy-Yard, 
southwest  and  southeast:  Navy-Yard  to  Massachusetts  ave¬ 
nue,  and  returning  on  eastern  side  of  Anacostia  River  to 
Giesboro  Point,  southeast. 

From  Giesboro  Point  to  United  States  Powder  Magazine,  and 
from  Powder  Magazine  to  District  line,  southeast, 

From  Zoological  Park  to  Potomac  River,  northwest. 

From  Municipal  Hospital  grounds  to  northern  end  of  Sol¬ 
diers’  Home  grounds,  northwest. 

From  grounds  of  Government  Hospital  for  the  Insane  to  Bald 
Eagle  Hill,  near  site  for  new  Almshouse,  southeast. 

From  Tenleytown  to  Rock  Creek  Park,  northwest. 

From  Rock  Creek  Church  road  along  easterly  side  of  Soldiers’ 
Home  to  Michigan  avenue,  northeast. 

From  Anacostia  River  to  Hamilton  road,  southeast. 


From  Rock  Creek,  at  Military  road,  following  the  chain  of 
old  forts  to  Anacostia  River,  and  from  Anacostia  River, 
following  the  forts  on  the  ridge,  to  Government  Hospital 
for  the  Insane. 

From  Ridge  road  to  Tenleytown,  northwest. 

From  Tenleytown  to  receiving  reservoir,  northwest. 


APPENDIX  I. — PROPOSED  ADDITIONS  TO  EXISTING 

PARKS. 

[Shown  in  green  lines  on  map  So.  D-288.] 


ZOOLOGICAL  PARK. 

1.  To  extend  the  park  at  its  southerly  end  to  the  nearest  street  as  laid  out 
on  the  highway-extension  plans  a  strip  of  land  is  needed.  This  land  is  a  steep 
hillside  facing  the  park  and  has  been  occupied  in  part  by  a  cemetery.  It 
immediately  overlooks  Adams  Mill  road,  one  of  the  principal  entrance-drives 

of  the  park. 

Area  of  above  proposed  addition  (about) _ : . acres..  5 

2.  At  the  southeasterly  side,  beginning  at  the  Adams  Mill  road  and  extend¬ 
ing  along  the  westerly  slope  of  Lanier  Heights  to  Kenesaw  avenue,  lies  a  strip 
of  land  that  is  needed  in  order  to  put  under  control  of  the  park  authorities  a 
steep  hillside  close  to  the  creek,  from  which  in  places  fragments  are  con¬ 
stantly  rolling  down  into  the  nark  to  the  great  danger  of  animals  and  visitors. 

It  is,  moreover,  very  intimately  a  part  of  the  parks  cenery,  and  its  develop¬ 
ment  for  private  purpose  would  be  a  great  injury.  The  line  recommended 
coincides  with  the  nearest  street  of  the  highway-extension  plan  and  would 
make  it  possible  to  provide  a  new  park  entrance  to  take  the  place  of  Old 
Quarry  road. 

Area  of  above  proposed  addition  (about) . acres..  6.  4 

3.  At  the  westerly  side  of  the  park  there  is  a  considerable  area  between  Con¬ 
necticut  avenue  and  the  present  boundary.  North  of  Cathedral  avenue  this 
is  too  narrow  to  allow  a  double  row  of  lots,  and  if  no  further  action  is  taken 
the  frontage  of  the  park  for  1,000  feet  on  each  side  of  the  main  entrance  will 
be  upon  a  row  of  back  yards.  One  of  two  things  should  be  done:  Either  to 
take  the  whole  tract  and  bring  the  park  frontage  out  to  Connecticut  avenue, 
or  to  provide  for  a  new  street  parallel  with  Connecticut  avenue  and  about  400 
feet  away  from  it  extending  from  Cathedral  avenue  to  Klingle  Ford  Valley, 
and  to  sell  off  the  small  strip  of  park  land  lying  outside  of  the  street.  The 
first  would  be  the  more  dignified  and  desirable  treatment,  but  as  the  land  does 
not  form  an  essential  part  of  any  park  landscape  the  second  would  be  per¬ 
fectly  reasonable,  and,  in  view  of  the  high  price  of  the  lots  facing  on  the  ave¬ 
nue,  perhaps,  the  wiser  course.  If  the  second  alternative  is  adopted,  however, 
it  is  essential  that  some  additional  land  should  be  taken  at  the  entrance  in 
order  to  give  it  greater  dignity.  In  either  case  it  would  be  desirable  to  secure 
the  low  land  in  the  Klingle  Valley  adjacent  to  the  park  for  the  better  protec¬ 
tion  of  its  borders,  and  in  order  to  provide  for  the  construction  of  a  road  lead¬ 
ing  from  the  high  land  near  Connecticut  avenue  to  the  northern  part  of  Rock 
Creek  Valley. 

The  area  of  the  whole  tract  in  question  is  (about) . acres. .  21.  6 

The  park  area  which  would  be  sold  if  the  second  project  were  adopted  is 
about  7.00  acres,  and  the  area  to  be  acquired  in  Klingle  Valley  about  11.5 
acres. 

33.  0 
203. 0 


Total  area  in  acres  of  proposed  addition  to  Zoological  Park 
Total  area  in  acres  of  Zoological  Park  as  increased . 


109 


170 


PARK  SYSTEM  OB'  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


ROCK  CREEK  PARK. 

East  side. 

1.  To  rectify  the  boundary  between  Rock  Creek  Park  and  the  small  sub¬ 
division  at  the  corner  of  Klingle  Ford  road  and  Park  road  so  as  to  permit  the 
construction  of  a  boundary  street  it  is  necessary  to  take  small  pieces  from  the 
rear  of  this  subdivision.  A  boundary  road  built  at  this  point  would  follow 
the  crest  of  the  steep  hillside  and  furnish  a  view  into  the  valley  of  the  creek 
100  feet  below,  without  letting  the  private  land  intrude  into  the  landscape. 

Area  of  above  proposed  addition . ...acres.. 

2.  Between  the  southwesterly  corner  of  Blagden  estate  and  Rock  Creek 
Park  a  triangular  piece  should  be  taken  to  extend  the  park  at  this  point  to 
the  nearest  street  of  the  highway-extension  plan. 

Area  of  above  proposed  addition  (about) . acres.. 

3.  Between  the  southerly  end  of  Colorado  avenue,  an  improvement  now 
under  construction,  and  Blagden  Mill  road,  which  is  now  the  park  boundary, 
lies  a  strip  of  land  which  should  be  added  to  the  park,  not  only  in  order  that 
the  park  may  be  brought  to  Colorado  avenue,  which  will  become  one  of  the 
principal  park  entrances,  but  to  include  a  high,  steep  ridge  now  private  prop¬ 
erty  but  forming  one  side  of  the  gorge  of  Rock  Creek.  The  present  boundary 
is  within  250  feet  of' the  stream. 

Area  of  above  proposed  addition  (about) . acres.. 

4.  From  the  reservoirs  near  Blagden  Mill  road  to  the  northern  limit  of  the 
park  Sixteenth  street,  when  extended,  should  form  the  park’s  eastern  bound¬ 
ary,  as  has  been  contemplated  from  the  beginning.  The  desirability  of  bring¬ 
ing  the  park  continuously  to  Sixteenth  street  is  so  obvious  as  a  matter  of 
dignity  as  to  need  no  argument,  but  it  may  be  said,  in  addition,  that  many  of 
the  pieces  in  question  are  also  requisite  to  protect  the  landscape  of  the  val¬ 
ley  from  the  intrusion  of  buildings.  The  lands  required  are  as  follows: 

Combined  area  of  fourteen  pieces  between  the  reservoirs  and  Rock  Creek  Ford 

road . acres.. 

Combined  area  of  two  pieces  immediately  north  of  Rock  Creek  Ford  road, 

acres  . 

Area  of  the  single  piece  between  the  foregoing  group  and  the  northern  limit 


of  the  park . acres. . 

Area  of  the  piece  at  the  northeastern  corner  of  the  park  (about) . do _ 

North  end. 


5.  The  northern  limit  of  the  park  should  be  extended  to  the  recently  con¬ 
structed  road,  the  position  of  which  was  fixed  by  the  shape  and  slope  of  the 
hills. 

Area  of  the  required  land . acres.. 

West  side. 

6.  Near  the  northern  end  of  Daniel's  road  a  considerable  tract  of  private 
land  juts  into  the  park.  It  was  originally  intended  to  include  this  land,  and 
it  was  omitted  only  on  account  of  lack  of  funds.  Its  acquisition  is  certainly 
desirable,  but  as  it  does  not  form  an  essential  part  of  any  important  park 
landscape  a  reasonable  boundary  street  could  be  devised  which  would  exclude 
the  greater  part  of  it,  together  with  some  of  the  adjacent  park  land  to  the 
south.  It  does  not,  therefore,  fall  in  the  same  class  with  the  other  essential 
additions  proposed. 

Area  of  the  whole  tract . acres.. 

Least  area  which  would  provide  for  a  suitable  boundary  street  (about) .  .do. . . 


APPENDIX  I. - ADDITIONS  TO  EXISTING  PARKS. 


171 


7.  From  the  point  where  Broad  Branch  road  joins  the  park  to  Soapstone 
Creek  a  proposed  street  of  the  highway-extension  system  follows  the  crest 
of  steep  hillsides  which  overlook  the  park  boundary  in  the  valley  below, 
now  defined  by  Broad  Branch  road.  The  strip  of  land  between  the  latter  and 
the  highway-extension  road  is  essential  to  the  preservation  of  the  beautiful 
scenery  of  Broad  Branch  \  alleyand  the  opposite  hillside  already  purchased. 

It  is,  moreover,  on  account  of  its  extreme  steepness  very  ill  adapted  to 
private  development. 

Area  of  this  piece  (about) . acres..  38 

8.  In  the  region  of  Pierce’s  mill,  and  north  to  Soapstone  Creek,  are  broad 
hillsides  rising  from  Rock  Creek  to  a  peak  220  feet  above  it  and  500  yards 
away,  slopes  between  them  and  the  present  boundary  of  the  park.  This 
should  be  taken  because  of  the  extreme  narrowness  of  the  park  at  this  point 
and  because  the  character  of  the  land  makes  it  actually  part  of  the  park  land¬ 
scape.  If  it  remains  in  private  hands  and  is  occupied  by  buildings  and 
streets,  these  will  he  to  all  intents  and  purposes  as  much  within  the  parkas 
if  erected  on  the  land  already  bought  for  park  purposes. 

Area  of  this  piece  (about) . acres..  95 

9.  At  the  southwestern  end  of  the  park,  and  on  the  old  Klingle  estate,  a 
small  piece  of  land  should  be  taken  in  order  that  the  boundary  of  the  park 
may  be  brought  to  the  proposed  street  of  the  highway-extension  system. 

Area  of  this  piece . acre. .  20 


Total  area  in  acres  of  proposed  additions  to  Rock  Creek  Park  (about ) .  302.  55 

Total  area  in  acres  of  proposed  additions  to  Zoological  and  Rock  Creek 


parks  (about) .  335.55 

Total  area  in  acres  of  Rock  Creek  Park  as  increased .  1, 908.  48 


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NOVEMBER  ,  1901 


ON  THE  IMPROVEMENT  OF  THE  PARK  SYSTEM. 

Aoo.  Augustus  St.  gaudens.  New  York. 

'ORK.  FREDERICK  LAW  OLMSTED.  JR..  BROOKLINE. 


COMMISSION 
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NOTE  : 

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G  en  |  1  indicate  existing  Public  Open  Spaces  or  Parks. 

Red  pA^|  indicate  the  Permanent  System  of  Highways,  not  yet  constructed. 

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Id  ngs  shown  m  Black  are  owned  by  the  Government. 

. shown  in  Brown  f  w  J  are  rented. 


DANIEL  H 
CHARLES 


ALEXAX  DR  I  a 


THE  BOUNDARY  BETWEEN  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA  ANO  VIRGINIA  IS  A  SERIES  OF  STRAIGHT  LINES 
FROM  HEADLAND  TO  HEADLAND  AT  LOW  WATER  MARK. 


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IMPROVEMENT 


TO  BE  TAKEN  «  NECESSARY  FOR  NEW  P. 

drawn  in  the  office  of  the  commission 
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3000 


2000 


NOVEMBER  ,  1901 


COMMISSION  ON  The 

IURNHAM.  CHKaqo 

MCKIM.  NEWIorh. 


IMPROVEMENT  OF  THE  PARK  SYSTEM- 

AUGUSTUS  ST.  0AUDENS.  NEW  YORK 
FREDERICK  LAW  OLMSTED.  JR-  BROOKLINE. 


DANIEL  H. 

CHARLES 

NOTE  : 

Elevations  are  in  Feet,  and  refer  the  plane  2.11  above  mean  low  tide  level  of  the  Pot' 
Areas  shown  in  Green  Lines  are  those  whose  purchase  is  recommended. 

Areas  shown  in  Green  Web  are  existing  or  authorized  Streets  which  are  to 

Areas  shown  in  Green  Dashes  are  those  whose  purchase  is  recommended  for 

Areas  shown  in  Green  ■-1  are  proposed  Elevated  Drives  along  the  Quays 

Department  Buildings  shown  m  B  *«k  are  ovvned  the  Government 

Department  Buildings  shown  B  •»» 


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^ND  POSSESSIONS  AND  AREAS  RECOMMENDED  TO  BE  TAKEN  AS  NECESSARY 
;S  AND  PARK  CONNECTIONS,  COMPILED  AND  DRAWN  IN  THE  OFFICE 
COMMISSION  ON  THE  IMPROVEMENT  OF  THE  PARK  SYSTEM. 


6  000 


5000 


3000 


NOVEMBER  ,  1901 


DANIEL  H. 
CHARLES 


as  Park  Connections. 


Straight  lines 


The  Boundary  between  the  District  of  Columbia  and  Virginia  is  a 

FROM  HEADLAND  TO  HEADLAND  AT  LOW  WATER  MARK 


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INDEX. 


Agriculture,  Department  of,  13,  43,  65;  building  for,  44;  experiment  stations  of,  144. 
Allen,  Lieut.  Col.  Charles  J.,  Corps  of  Engineers,  U.  S.  A.,  56,  105;  report  of,  on 
Anacostia  flats,  106. 

Almshouse  farm,  113. 

American  Institute  of  Architects  appoints  a  committee  on  legislation  and  recom¬ 
mends  members  of  Park  Commission,  8. 

Amsterdam,  plan  of,  12. 

Anacostia  embankment,  115. 

Anacostia  flats,  11. 

Anacostia,  relation  of  dam  to  tidal  scour,  131. 

Anacostia  section,  113. 

Anacostia  Park,  proposed  treatment  of,  105,  133-135. 

Analostan  Island,  55,  57. 

Aqueduct  Bridge,  97. 

Arc  de  Triomphe  de  l’Etoile,  Paris,  45. 

Arlington,  proposed  treatment  of,  51,  55,  58,  59,  122. 

Arnold  Aboretum,  Boston,  143. 

Attorney-General  refers  to  Park  Commission  in  annual  report,  13. 

Bacher,  Otto  H.,  drawings  of,  123,  150. 

Bacon,  Mr.,  123. 

Baer,  Mr.,  123. 

Bald  Eagle  Point,  114. 

Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad,  15,  29;  Metropolitan  Branch  of,  102,  103. 

Baltimore  and  Potomac  Railroad,  occupation  of  Mall  by,  14,  29,  43. 

Bathing  beach,  Washington,  28. 

Bathing  places,  public,  125. 

Batteries,  Parrott,  97;  Ricketts,  112;  Vermont,  94. 

Beach  Drive,  88. 

Berlin,  26. 

Bingham,  Col.  Theodore  A.,  Corps  of  Engineers,  U.  S.  A.,  officer  in  charge  of  pub¬ 
lic  buildings  and  grounds;  his  plans  for  the  extension  of  the  White  House,  63. 
Bladensburg  road,  103. 

Blum,  Robert,  drawings  of,  123,  149,  150. 

Bois  de  Bologne,  Paris,  51. 

Boston  Metropolitan  Park  Commission,  28,  127. 

Botanical  collections,  desirabilty  of,  145. 

Botanic  Garden,  the,  37,  41,  43. 

Broad  Branch  parkway,  92. 

Brookline,  Mass.,  public  baths  at,  128. 

Brown,  Glenn,  his  history  of  the  Capitol,  37, 

Buck,  L.  L.,  plans  of,  for  Memorial  Bridge,  56. 

Budapest,  15,  26,  70,  83. 

S.  Rep.  16ti - 20 


173 


174 


INDEX. 


Burnham,  Daniel  H.,  president  Park  Commission,  8,  9,  13,  41,  123;  architect  railroad 
stations  at  Pittsburg  and  Washington,  15. 

Burr,  Prof.  W.  H.,  plans  of,  for  Memorial  Bridge,  56. 

Bushy  Park,  England,  45. 

Butler,  Mr.,  123. 

Cabin  John  Bridge,  96. 

Capitol,  the  United  States,  12,  23;  extension  of,  24;  location  of,  37,  47. 

Carlsruhe,  plan  of,  12. 

Carnegie  Library,  Washington,  70. 

Cassatt,  A.  J.,  president  Pennsylvania  Railroad,  consents  to  withdraw  tracks  from 
Mall,  15. 

Cemeteries,  character  of  modern,  58. 

Center  Market,  Washington,  69. 

Central  Park,  New  York,  45,  103. 

Chapman,  Carlton  T.,  drawings  of,  123,  150. 

Chesapeake  Bay,  25. 

Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal,  84. 

Chevy  Chase,  the  suburb  of,  91. 

Chief  of  .Engineers,  U.  S.  A.,  18,  25. 

Coast  and  Geodetic  Survey,  topographical  map  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  16,  77. 
Columbia  Institution  for  Deaf  and  Dumb,  102,  113. 

Commerce,  Department  of,  64. 

Commissioners  of  the  District  of  Columbia  refer  to  the  Park  Commission  in  annual 
report,  13. 

Compiegne,  palace  of,  France,  45. 

Conduit  road,  95. 

Congress  grants  Mall  site  to  Baltimore  and  Potomac  Railroad,  15. 

Congress  house,  name  for  Capitol,  35. 

Connecticut  avenue  bridge,  11. 

Constantine,  arch  of,  30. 

Continental  Congress  votes  statues,  35. 

Corcoran  Gallery  of  Art,  18,  29. 

Corps  of  Engineers,  U.  S.  A.,  14. 

Cox,  William  V.,  63. 

Crow,  Mr.,  his  work  on  Washington  plans,  123. 

Cullom,  Senator  Shelby  M.,  his  bill  for  Lincoln  Memorial,  52. 

Curtis,  George  Carroll,  geographical  sculptor,  models  made  by,  17,  123, 149. 
DeGersdorff,  George,  his  work  on  Washington  plans,  123, 148. 

District  of  Columbia  militia,  29,  70. 

District  of  Columbia,  Senate  Committee  on,  members  of,  2. 

District  of  Columbia,  centennial  celebration  of  the  removal  of  the  seat  of  govern 
rnent  to,  7. 

District  of  Columbia,  desirability  of  comprehensive  plan  for,  7;  list  of  lands  in. 
devoted  to  public  use,  155-165;  list  of  proposed  additions  to  park  system  of,  167- 
171;  park  system  under  control  of  Chief  of  Engineers,  18;  topographical  features 
of,  14,  75;  courts  of,  70. 

Dodge,  Gen.  Grenville  M.,  member  Grant  Memorial  Commission,  41. 

Douglas,  E.  A.,  123. 

Duncklee,  John  B.,  letter  of.  relative  to  the  proposed  treatment  of  Anacostia  Park 
133-135. 

Eckington  parkway,  101. 

Ellicott,  Major,  makes  surveys  for  the  city  of  Washington,  25. 

Elliott,  Mr.,  work  of,  123. 

Elms,  use  of  in  Mall,  45. 

Engineer  school  of  application,  117. 


INDEX. 


175 


Evening  Star,  Washington,  14. 

Executive  Departments,  grouping  of  buildings  of,  28,  63. 

Fillmore,  President,  extension  of  Capitol  under  his  charge,  37. 

Fisheries  Commission  building,  44. 

Fontainebleau,  Chateau  of,  France,  45,51. 

Forts,  Albany,  121;  Baker,  112;  Bunker  Hill,  111;  Chaplin,  112;  Davis,  112;  Du  Pont, 
112;  Greble,  112;  Kemble  Park,  97;  Mahan,  112;  Myer,  58;  Preble,  114;  Reno,  91; 
Sedgwick,  112;  Slemmer,  111;  Stanton,  112;  Stevens,  111;  Thayer,  111 ;  Totten,  111. 
Fort  Drive,  the,  111. 

Fort  Reno  Park,  93. 

Forum,  The,  Rome,  27. 

Foundry  Branch  of  Rock  Creek,  97. 

Frankfort,  Germany,  plan  of,  12,  26. 

French,  Daniel  Chester,  sculptor,  member  of  the  Grant  Memorial  jury,  41. 

Gage,  Lyman  J.,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  25. 

Gaillard,  Capt.  D.  D.,  Corps  Engineers  U.  S.  A.,  56. 

Gallager,  Percival,  drawings  of,  123, 147. 

Gallagher,  Sears,  drawings  of,  123, 147. 

Gallinger,  Senator  Jacob  H.,  member  Subcommittee  on  Park  Investigation,  10. 
Garden  of  the  Tuilleries,  Paris,  45. 

Georgetown  parks,  97. 

Georgetown,  58. 

Georgetown  College,  97. 

Georgetown  Harbor,  84,  86. 

Georgetown  Observatory,  97. 

Githens,  Mr.,  work  of,  123. 

Giesboro  parkway,  114. 

Government  Hospital  for  the  Insane,  105, 113. 

Graham,  Charles,  drawings  of,  123,  147. 

Grant  memorial  (see  also  Union  square),  41;  location  of,  42. 

Great  Falls  of  the  Potomac,  1 7,  96. 

Guerin,  Jules,  drawings  of,  123,  149,150. 

Hains,  Col.  Peter,  Corps  of  Engineers,  U.  S.  A.,  reports  of,  in  favor  of  Memorial  Bridge, 
55,  121. 

Hall  of  Records,  29. 

Hampton  Court,  England,  51. 

Harewood  road,  100. 

Harmon,  Mr.,  work  of,  123. 

Hatfield  House,  seat  of  the  Marquis  of  Salisbury,  45. 

Hill,  James  G.,  member  of  the  Memorial  Bridge  jury,  56. 

Hillside  Reservation,  113. 

Hoban,  James,  architect  of  White  House,  63. 

Hoppin,  F.  L.,  drawings  of,  123,  148. 

House  of  Representatives,  office  building  for,  38. 

Howard  Park,  101. 

Howard  University,  101. 

Howard  University  reservoir,  101. 

Hutton,  William  R.,  competitor  for  Memorial  Bridge  plans,  56. 

Inauguration  of  President,  accommodations  for,  70. 

Interior,  Department  of  the,  64,  70. 

James  River,  25. 

Jefferson,  Thomas,  supervises  plan  of  Washington,  12, 19,25,26. 

Johnson,  Mr.,  drawings  of,  123. 

Justice,  Department  of,  64. 


176 


INDEX. 


Kaiser,  C.  S.,  drawings  of,  123. 

Langdon,  James  G.,  in  charge  of  the  drafting  of  maps  for  Park  Commission,  123. 
L’Enfant,  Maj.  Peter  Charles,  12, 13,  25,  26,  35,  36,  37,  39;  his  plan  of  the  Mall,  43;  his 
plan  of  Washington,  10,11;  custody  of  plan,  25;  invasions  of  plan,  9,  39;  use  of 
water  shown  in  plan,  28. 

Lenotre,  Andre,  French  landscape  architect,  12,  25, 27. 

Library  of  Congress,  17, 18,  38,  39. 

Lincoln  avenue,  101. 

Lincoln  Memorial,  51,  57,  83;  action  of  Congress  on,  52. 

Little  River,  55. 

London,  15,  25,  26,  77. 

Long  Bridge,  117. 

Lopez,  Charles  A.,  41. 

Louvre,  palace  of,  45. 

McCarter,  Henry,  drawings  of,  123,  149, 150. 

McCleary,  Hon.  James  T.,  member  of  Lincoln  Memorial  Commission,  52. 

McKim,  Charles  F.,  member  of  Park  Commission,  8,  13,41;  plans  White  House  res¬ 
toration,  65, 123. 

McKinley,  President  William,  urges  building  Memorial  Bridge,  55. 

McMillan,  Senator  James,  report  of,  on  park  system  of  the  District  of  Columbia  to 
Senate,  7;  states  District  of  Columbia  problem  to  Park  Commission,  10. 

Mall,  the,  10,  29,  35;  changes  in,  23;  development  of,  17;  proposed  plan  for,  43. 
Margaretten-Insel,  Budapest,  118. 

Market,  proposed  character  of,  70. 

Martin,  Senator  Thomas  S.,  member  Subcommittee  on  Park  Plans,  10. 
Massachusetts  avenue  bridge,  11. 

Memorial  Bridge,  51,  55, 122;  preparation  of  plans  for,  56;  recommendations  of  Park 
Commission  concerning,  56;  action  of  Senate  on,  55. 

Merritt,  Maj.  Gen.  Wesley  M.,  member  of  the  Grant  Memorial  jury,  41. 

Merz,  Mr.,  designs  model  of  monument  garden,  17, 123. 

Michigan  avenue,  101. 

Milan,  plan  of,  12. 

Military  road,  88. 

Miller,  Burr  C.,  41. 

Minor  reservations,  treatment  of,  79. 

Morris,  Mr.,  123. 

Morrison,  George  S.,  engineer,  56. 

Mount  Hamilton  Park,  103. 

Mount  Hamilton  parkway,  103. 

Mount  Olivet  Cemetery,  103. 

Mount  Vernon,  17,  121. 

Mount  Vernon  Association,  122. 

Mount  Vernon  road,  121. 

Mundy,  Mr.,  123. 

Municipal  building,  29,  69;  location  of,  70. 

Municipal  Hospital,  99. 

National  Museum,  44. 

National  Zoological  Park,  establishment  of,  10. 

Naval  Observatory,  56,97;  grounds  of,  98. 

Nebraska  avenue,  92. 

New  Cut  road,  97. 

New  York  City,  77;  botanical  garden  in,  143. 

Nichols  avenue,  113. 

Niehaus,  Charles  Henry,  41;  character  of  his  work  on  design  for  Grant  Memorial,  42. 


INDEX. 


177 


North  Capitol  street,  opportunity  for  triumphal  arch  on,  101. 

Officer  in  charge  of  public  buildings  and  grounds,  14. 

Old  Hadley,  Massachusetts,  45. 

Olmsted,  Frederick  Law,  jr.,  member  of  Park  Commission,  8, 13, 123. 

Orleans,  plan  of,  12. 

Outhet,  R.  A.,  work  of,  on  park  plans,  123. 

Pantheon,  proposed,  50. 

Paris;  12,  15,  26,  70,  77,  83. 

Park  Commission  appointed,  8;  problem  stated  to,  10;  visit  to  Europe,  15;  compre¬ 
hensive  character  of  plans  of,  16;  consulted  as  to  architect  for  Department  of 
Agriculture  building,  13;  report  of,  23;  recommendation  of  as  to  public  buildings,  28; 
list  of  drawings,  designs  and  models  illustrating  the  report  of,  147-154. 

Park  system  of  Washington,  character  of,  75;  the  larger  parks  and  their  connec¬ 
tions,  83;  law  governing,  18;  need  for  additional  parks,  77. 

Partridge,  William  T.,  work  of,  on  Washington  plans,  123. 

•  Patent  Office,  64. 

Patterson  Park,  102. 

Pennsylvania  avenue,  treatment  of  area  south  of,  29,  69. 

Pension  Office,  70. 

Piney  Branch,  99. 

Place  de  la  Concorde,  Paris,  42. 

Playgrounds,  49,  79. 

Post-Office  Department,  64. 

Potomac  Drive,  94. 

Potomac  Flats,  24;  improvement  of,  10,  36,  77. 

Potomac  Park,  11,  51,  56,  83,  117. 

Potomac  quay,  83. 

President’s  house,  12. 

President’s  palace,  35. 

Public  baths  and  gymnasiums,  28. 

Public  buildings,  Lafayette  square  suitable  for,  28;  location  of,  28;  need  of  new,  24. 
Receiving  reservoir,  94. 

Reform  School,  108,  113. 

Revere  Beach,  Massachusetts,  28,  127. 

Rhind,  J.  Massey,  sculptor,  41. 

Richardson,  Hon.  James  D.,  member  of  Lincoln  Memorial  Commission,  52. 
Richmond,  Ya.,  swimming  basin  at,  125. 

Riverside  Drive,  Washington,  51. 

Riverside  Drive,  New  York,  95. 

Rock  Creek  Park,  11,  88,  99;  purchase  of,  10. 

Rock  Creek  parkway,  treatment  of,  85. 

Rock  Creek,  section  east  of,  99;  section  west  of,  91;  system  of  parks,  51;  valley  of.  11; 

alternative  plans  for  treatment  of,  137. 

Rodeman,  Mr.,  123. 

Rome,  15-26;  fountains  of,  27. 

Roosevelt,  President,  65. 

Root,  Hon.  Elihu,  Secretary  of  War,  41;  member  of  Lincoln  Memorial  Commission, 
52. 

Ross,  A.  R.,  drawings  of,  123, 148. 

Rossell,  Captain,  Corps  of  Engineers,  U.  S.  A.,  report  of  as  to  treatment  of  Rock 
Creek,  137, 138. 

Roth,  F.  G.  R.,  41. 

St.  Gaudens,  Augustus,  member  of  Park  Commission,  9,  13,  41,  123. 

St.  Peter’s,  Rome,  27. 


178 


INDEX. 


Savannah  street  boulevard,  99. 

Schbnbrunn,  palace  of,  45. 

Schofield,  Lieut.  Gen.  J.  M.,  member  Grant  Memorial  jury,  41. 

Shaw  Botanical  Garden,  St.  Louis,  143. 

Shephard,  Mr.,  123. 

Shepherds  Landing,  115. 

Sheridan  avenue,  113, 114. 

Sheridan,  Gen.  Philip  H.,  statue  of,  41. 

Sherman,  Gen.  William  T.,  statue  of,  41. 

Shrady,  Herwin  Merwin,  sculptor,  wins  competition  for  Grant  Memorial,  41. 

Shuters  Hill,  121. 

Smithsonian  Institution,  43;  Secretary  of,  14. 

Soapstone  parkway,  92. 

Soldiers’  Home,  11,93,99,100. 

Soldiers’  Home  cemetery,  58. 

Spring  Bank  Run,  121. 

State,  War,  and  Navy  building,  39. 

Stickfoot  Creek  parkway,  113. 

Story,  Waldo,  sculptor,  41. 

Strasburg,  plan  of,  12. 

Supervising  Architect  of  Treasury,  13. 

Supreme  Court  building,  38. 

Symons,  Maj.  Thomas  W.,  Corps  of  Engineers,  U.  S.  A.,  report  of,  on  Memorial 
Bridge,  55,  56. 

Tenley  circle,  91 . 

Tiber  Creek,  40. 

Tittmann,  Otto  H.,  Superintendent  Coast  and  Geodetic  Survey,  14. 

Treasury  building,  39. 

Treasury,  Secretary  of,  13. 

Trevi,  fountain  of,  Rome,  27. 

Trueblood,  Mr.,  123. 

Turin,  plan  of,  12. 

Thornton,  William,  architect  of  Capitol,  37,  40. 

United  States  Senate,  resolution  of,  relative  to  improvement  of  park  system,  7. 

Union  Square,  41. 

Union  Station,  15, 16,29,44. 

Vaux-le-Vicomte,  chateau  of,  near  Melun,  France.  45;  fountains  of,  27. 

Venice,  15,  26. 

Versailles,  palace  of,  27,45,51. 

Vienna,  15,  26,  83. 

Virginia  palisades  of  the  Potomac,  97. 

Walker,  Mr.,  123. 

Walter,  Thomas  U.,  architect  of  extension  of  the  Capitol,  37. 

War  College,  117. 

War,  Secretary  of,  refers  to  report  of  Park  Commission  in  annual  report,  13. 

Water,  consumption  of,  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  28. 

Washington,  as  a  capital  city,  25;  its  advantage  over  other  cities,  39;  planned  under 
supervision  of  Washington  and  Jefferson,  12;  climatic  condition  of,  26,  76;  defenses 
of,  during  civil  war,  79;  local  government  of,  14. 

Washington,  Alexandria,  and  Mount  Vernon  Railroad,  117. 

Washington  Barracks,  105,117. 

Washington  Board  of  Trade,  8,  85, 137. 

Washington  channel,  10. 

Washington  common,  the,  49. 


INDEX. 


179 


Washington  embankment,  117. 

Washington  market,  29. 

Washington,  George,  13, 19,  25,  35,  37,  39,  52;  supervises  plan  of  Washington,  12 
Washington  Monument.  10;  model  of,  17;  as  work  of  art,  24;  beginnings  of’ 35;  pro¬ 
posed  treatment  of,  47. 

Washington  Star,  the,  43. 

Webster,  Daniel,  first  mentions  Memorial  Bridge,  55. 

Weekes,  Mr.,  123. 

Wetmore,  Senator  George  Peabody,  member  Grant  Memorial  Commission,  41;  mem¬ 
ber  of  Lincoln  Memorial  Commission,  52. 

White  House,  23,35,39,47;  improvement  of,  36;  occupied  by  President  and  Mrs. 

John  Adams,  63. 

White  Lot,  29,  42,  49. 

White,  Stanford,  member  of  Memorial  Bridge  jury,  56. 

Williamsburg,  Va.,  45. 

Windsor  Great  Park,  45. 

Wisconsin  avenue,  93. 

Yuma  street,  93. 

Zoological  park,  87. 


7/M 


